Loyola University Maryland wraps up its home regular-season schedule on Sunday, February 19, 2012, when it hosts Boston University in the Sears’ Bracketbuster event. Tip-off is schedule for 12 noon.

The Greyhounds will honor senior student manager Kevin Farrell and senior players J’hared Hall and Shane Walker in a ceremony following the game.

Bracketbuster History

Loyola is participating in the Bracketbuster event for the seventh-straight season, and it has a 4-2 record in its previous five games.

The Greyhounds have Bracketbuster wins over High Point (2006), Tennessee State (2007), UC-Davis (2008) and Towson (2011) and losses to Drexel (2009) and New Hampshire (2010).

Series History

Loyola and Boston University will meet for just the second time on the hardwood. The Terriers won the first meeting, 71-51, in the first round of the Sports Foundation Classic on December 27, 1996, in Tampa, Fla.

Jason Rowe led the Greyhounds with 16 points and seven assists in the game, and Erik Cooper scored a career-high 15. Tunji Awojobi finished with a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Terriers.

The Greyhounds have played two teams from Boston University’s America East Conference this season, defeating UMBC and New Hampshire on the road.

Free Webstreaming

Fans who can’t make it to the game on Thursday have multiple options for catching the action from Reitz Arena. In addition to live stats and internet audio, all non-televised home contests, will be broadcast free of charge on Hounds Unleashed, the broadcast arm of LoyolaGreyhounds.com. The games will be available on computers and most smart phone devices.

Wrapping Up Non-Conference Play

Sunday’s game will be Loyola’s final non-conference test of the 2011-2012 season, a slate the Greyhounds have gone 7-3 during thus far.

Loyola’s seven non-conference wins are one short of the school Division I record victories out of regular-season non-conference action

Skip Prosser’s 1993-1994 team went 8-4 out of the league before going just 6-8 in MAAC play. That team, however, went on to win three-straight games at the MAAC Championships and advance to the school’s first, and only, NCAA Tournament.

Telling Stats

Loyola’s two most recent games underscored the importance for the Greyhounds of capitalizing on a few areas of the box score.

Six of Loyola’s seven losses have now come when scoring fewer transition points – and the seventh loss was in a game that the teams tied in the category – than its opponents.

The Greyhounds also dropped to 2-5 this year in the seven games they have shot fewer free throws than their opponents, compared to 15-2 when shooting more.

Loyola is also 4-7 when its opponents have a better field-goal percentage, compared to 15-0 when the Greyhounds shoot at a better clip.

Getting Up Shots

Loyola had its shot opportunities against Marist on Wednesday night, taking a season-high 64 shots. The Greyhounds, however, shot just 31.3-percent from the field, making only 20.

Still Crashing The Offensive Boards

The Greyhounds corrected one problem from Sunday’s loss to Fairfield in which they had just 10 offensive rebounds in 36 opportunities. They pulled down 18 against the Red Foxes, their most since grabbing 22 on January 29 at Canisius. Shane Walker led the way with six, while Justin Drummond and Jordan Latham each had three.

Loyola leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding as a team, averaging 13.9, almost a full rebound more per game that second-place Canisius (13.0).

Despite the team ranking, no Greyhounds player is higher than sixth in the conference in offensive rebounds per game. Erik Etherly is sixth with 2.5, while Drummond is 13th with 2.2, and Walker is 15th with 2.0. No other team in the MAAC has more than two players in the top 15.

Last Time Out

Loyola took a two-point lead with 7:22 left in Wednesday night’s game at Marist, but the Red Foxes scored 18 of the next 19 points to go up 66-50 with 1:39 remaining.

Shane Walker posted his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Dylon Cormier added 11 points.

Balance Abound

Loyola enters last eight days of its regular season as one of only two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams (Rider) to boast four players with double-figure scoring averages.

The Greyhounds are the only team with four players who have averages of 10.0 points per game or greater – Dylon Cormier (13.8), Erik Etherly (13.3), Robert Olson (11.5) and Justin Drummond (11.1).

Leading The Charge

Erik Etherly and Robert Olson have been the Greyhounds’ two most consistent scorers since the calendar flipped to 2012, averaging a combined 29.3 points per game since January 5, a span of 13 games.

Etherly has scored four more points than Olson during those 13 games, 178-174 and averages 14.8 points to Olson’s 14.5.

Combined, the duo is shooting 50.2-percent from the field (120-of-239).

Etherly also leads Loyola with a 7.7 rebounds per game mark during the last 13 games, while Olson is third on the team, averaging 4.2.

Tops In Conference Play, Too

Robert Olson and Erik Etherly have also paced the Greyhounds in their 16 MAAC games thus far as the top two scorers. Etherly again is slightly ahead of Olson, scoring-wise, tallying 216 (13.5 per game) points to Olson’s 212 (13.3).

Etherly has averaged 7.3 rebounds in 6 conference games, and Olson is third on the team with an average of 4.3.

MAAC Honors

Erik Etherly was named MAAC Player of the Week Monday for the second time this season. He averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds against Iona and Fairfield.

Tying School Marks

Friday night’s win over Iona improved Loyola’s record to 19-5 overall and 12-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season.

The Greyhounds’ 19 wins tie the 2007-2008 team’s school Division I record for most victories, and the 12 wins also tie the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 squads for most wins in the league.

Loyola’s 19 wins are also tied for fourth-most all-time in school history.

Reitz Was Rockin’

The Greyhounds’ games in Reitz Arena against Rider and Iona were both been sellout crowds of 2,100. It marked the first time since Reitz opened in December 1984 that the gym has had back-to-back sellout crowds.

The crowd on February 3 against Rider was the building’s first sellout since November 14, 2008, against Mount St. Mary’s.

Offensive Onslaught

Loyola turned in season highs in points (87), field goals made (32) and field goals attempted (63) at home against Iona.

The Greyhounds’ 47 points in the first half were also the most they’ve scored in the first 20 minutes this season and were tied for the most in either half, matching the 47 scored on November 14 against Coppin State in the second half.

Eight Field Goals For Three

Three Greyhounds knocked down eight or more field goals versus the Gaels. Erik Etherly was 9-of-12 from the field, Justin Drummond 8-of-12, and Dylon Cormier 8-of-16.

It was the first time in the eight-year tenure of Jimmy Patsos as head coach that three or more players have made eight or more baskets in the same game.

Etherly, Cormier Top 20

For the second time this year, Erik Etherly and Dylon Cormier both topped the 20-point mark. The duo also accomplished the feat on November 17 at UMBC when Etherly scored a career-best 27, and Cormier finished with 20.

Against Iona, Etherly and Cormier’s combined 44 points were just over half of the Greyhounds’ 87.

Drummond Raises Efficiency

Justin Drummond had his best shooting night of the season versus Iona, making 8-of-12 shots (.667). Drummond, who shot .446 as a freshman last year, has seen his field-goal percentage dip to .387 this year.

His previous best outing of the season came on December 28 at Bucknell when he was 5-of-8 (.625) from the floor.

Defensive Presence

Jordan Latham did not play in the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Iona, an 11-point setback, but the sophomore forward made his presence known last Friday night.

He came off the bench and played 14 minutes and had four blocked shots. Three of his blocks were not just redirects, but true swats of the ball. Each of his blocked shots came against different Iona players and in different situations. Twice, Latham swatted shots by driving guards, and he twice denied post players.

The four blocks were a career-high for Latham.

R.J.’s Assists Equal Success

R.J. Williams recorded five assists in the win over Iona, the fourth time this year he’s dished out five or more. The Greyhounds are 7-0 this season in games that Williams has four or more helpers.

As a team, the Greyhounds are 4-0 this year when recorded 15 or more assists, like they did Friday night.

Etherly’s Last Twelve

Erik Etherly continued his solid play of late with 22 points against Iona and 17 versus Fairfield last weekend. The game against the Stags marked the seventh straight game Etherly has scored 15 or more, helping him to a 12-game scoring average of 15.1 points, best on the team during that stretch.

Etherly also has averaged 7.6 rebounds, just above his season average, during the stretch that dates back to the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Canisius on January 7.

During the stretch, Etherly has scored in double figures 10 times – he finished with nine at Iona – and he has scored 15 or more eight times.

Fastest To 19

Loyola’s win over Iona was the Greyhounds’ 19th of the season, marking their fastest path to 19 victories since joining Division I for the 1981-1982 season. The Greyhounds’ arrival at 19 wins after just 24 games came by a wide margin over the previous best.

The 2007-2008 squad, set the previous standard, reaching 19 wins in 30 games, six more than this year’s team.

Good MAAC Start

With wins in 12 of its first 16 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games this season, Loyola is off to its best start in league play since joining the league in 1989-1990. The Greyhounds’ previous best start as 11-5 in 2007-2008.

Six Under Sixty

For the first time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1981-1982), Loyola held six consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points.

During the span, all Loyola victories, the Greyhounds have held Siena, Saint Peter’s (twice), Niagara, Canisius and Rider to an average of 53.2 points per game.

The Greyhounds previously had held three teams to sub-60 performances just once since joining Division I, and that came during 1981-1982, their first season at this level.

The last time a Loyola team held six-straight teams under 60, regardless of division, came in January-February 1977 when it held six teams in a row – Southampton, Saint Peter’s, Randolph-Macon, Mount St. Mary’s, Baltimore and Philadelphia Textile – to 59 or fewer. The Greyhounds, however, were just 3-3 in that stretch.

During The Six

Loyola’s success during the last six games is reflected in several statistics. Opponents are shooting .387, .046 lower than the season average of .433. Also, Loyola held foes to .241 from 3-point range, more than 10 points lower than the season mark of .350.

Following the Greyhounds’ game at Iona on January 15, Loyola was ranked 265th in field-goal percentage defense (.449), 325th in 3-point defense (.389), and 163rd in scoring defense (66.2).

The last six games have moved the Greyhounds to 193rd in field goal percentage defense (.443), 215th in 3-point defense (.350) and 71st in scoring defense (62.8).

Olson’s January, Continued

After a stretch of not scoring in double figures for the last three games of December and the first two in January, Robert Olson was the Greyhounds’ leading scorer during the first month of the new calendar year, averaging 13.8.

In Loyola’s last 12 games, a stretch in which the Greyhounds are 9-3, Olson has averaged a team-best 14.2 points per game, second-most on the team.

Overall this season, Olson is shooting 44.3-percent from 3-point range, and his 54 threes made this season are 14th in school single-season history. His 3-point field goal percentage currently stands third in school single-season history.

Olson has made 126 threes in his career, good for sixth-best all-time at Loyola, passing Gerald Brown (2006-2008) in the game against Fairfield.

Something Had To Give

Entering last Friday night’s game against Rider, Loyola had held four consecutive opponents to 57 or fewer points, while the Broncs were averaging 87.5 points in their previous three games.

Loyola’s defense prevailed in the contest, holding Rider to 12 points in the first half and just 46 overall. It was the Broncs’ lowest scoring game since February 2008 when Fairfield held them to 40.

Almost 20 Years

Rider’s 46 points were the fewest Loyola has allowed since the Greyhounds defeated Niagara, 68-45, on February 21, 1992, a stretch of 521 games.

Loyola has now held opponents to 49 or fewer points eight times since joining NCAA Division I in 1981-1982. The Greyhounds did it twice each in 1981-1982, 1984-1985 and 1991-1992 and once in 1983-1984.

Bracketbuster Opponent Named

Loyola learned Monday that it will host Boston University of the America East Conference in its sixth appearance in the Sears’ Bracketbuster Event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will play Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon in Reitz Arena.

Tied For Third In Road Wins

As of the beginning of the week, Loyola’s 10 road wins had them tied for third in all of NCAA Division I for victories away from its home court.

Cleveland State and Wagner lead the way with 11 while Loyola is tied with Harvard, Murray State, Iona and Robert Morris.

Walker Moves Into Second

Shane Walker blocked two Fairfield shots in the first three minutes of the game, and he then swatted a Maurice Barrow layup with 13:58 on the clock, tying him for second all-time at Loyola in blocked shots.

With five blocks against Canisius, Walker now has 124 blocks in his career and is all alone in second place. Brian Carroll (1997-2001) holds the school record with 213.

Thievery

Loyola caused 20 Siena turnovers, and the Greyhounds were credited with 19 steals. R.J. Williams led the way with a career-high five, while Erik Etherly, Dylon Cormier and Robert Olson each had three.

The 19 steals are the second-most in school history, one more than the Greyhounds posted in a November 29, 1997, game at Kent State. It is also the most Loyola has recorded against a Division I opponent. The school single-game record of 20 came on February 28, 1996, when the team closed the regular-season against St. Mary’s (Md.).

Running Away

Runs have been a big part of the Greyhounds’ success this year. Here is a look at some runs of note:

Opponent

Run

Start

Finish

Coppin State

10-1, 4:26

31-32, 1:36 (1)

41-33, 17:11 (2)

at UMBC

16-4, 8:08

35-31, 19:16 (2)

51-34, 11:08 (2)

FGCU

22-5, 6:53

15-16, 8:08 (1)

37-21, 1:11 (1)

Marist

9-0, 1:50

47-48, 11:16 (2)

56-48, 9:26 (2)

Marist

15-3, 5:47

61-57, 6:03 (2)

76-60, :16 (2)

at Siena

13-0; 4:27

0-2, 19:28 (1)

13-2; 15:35 (1)

at The Mount

9-0, 1:55

24-26, 1:59 (1)

33-26, :04 (1)

Canisius

18-4, 10:14

57-53, 10:14 (2)

75-57, 2:11 (2)

at Fairfield

36-21, 16:42

30-45, 16:42 (2)

66-63, Final

Siena

22-2, 7:36

40-47, 10:35 (2)

62-49, 2:49 (2)

Saint Peter’s

20-5, 8:13

15-20, 8:55 (1)

35-25, :48 (1)

at Niagara

15-2, 5:42

44-46, 7:48 (2)

59-48, 1:58 (2)

at Canisius

24-2, 12:04

16-22, 8:02 (1)

40-24, 15:58 (2)

Rider

18-0, 8:06

6-5, 16:50 (1)

24-5, 8:55 (2)

Iona

36-17, 12:50

11-10, 13:40 (1)

47-28, 00:50 (1)

Century Mark

Head Coach Jimmy Patsos became the third coach in Loyola history to win 100 games when the Greyhounds defeated UMBC, 73-63, on the road. Patsos, who is in his eighth season, took over a team that finished 1-27 during the 2002-2003 season. He won his 100th game in his 215th career game.

Last season, Patsos moved into third-place all time at Loyola in victories, trailing only Lefty Reitz (349 wins, 1937-44, 1945-61) and Nap Doherty (165, 1961-74).

Loyola All-Time Coaching Wins List

1.

349

Lefty Reitz

1937-1944, 1945-1961

2.

165

Nap Doherty

1961-1974

3.

117

Jimmy Patsos

2004-present

4.

85

Mark Amatucci

1982-1989

5.

72

Gary Dicovitsky

1976-1981

Two Of A Kind

Although unofficial, research shows that Jimmy Patsos is one of only two coaches in the last 20 years to take a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival.

Brigham Young finished the 1996-1997 season with a 1-25 record. Steve Cleveland took over the following season and tallied 138 wins until his departure for Fresno State after the 2004-2005 season.

Men’s & Women’s Coaches With 100

Loyola University Maryland is one of just 26 mid-major schools that has men’s and women’s basketball coaches with 100 or more victories at their current school after Greyhound women’s coach Joe Logan got his 100th on December 18 in a win at George Washington.

Loyola is the only school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to have accomplished the feat, and it is one of only five institutions at which the coaches have both won 100 or more games in 10 or fewer seasons.

Getting To The Line

As a team, Loyola went to the free-throw line 46 times at UMBC, making 31. The 46 attempts are the sixth-most all-time and most since the 2004-2005 squad attempted 53 on December 5, 2004, against Niagara.

Loyola’s 31 free throws made rank 11th on the school single-game chart and were the most since making 32 on January 14, 2009, versus NJIT.

Although his shot was not falling at UMBC, Dylon Cormier still found ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor. The sophomore guard was just 2-of-9 from the field, but he went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 15, and finished with 20 points.

Cormier’s 15 free throws made are tied for sixth in Loyola single-game history, matching the total made by Mike Powell at Saint Peter’s on December 6, 1997, and Donovan Thomas against Marist on February 23, 2003. The 15 makes were the most by a Loyola player since Jamal Barney set the school record with 18 on January 14, 2009, against NJIT. His 17 attempts rank tied for sixth all-time.

Baltimore Bred And More From Nearby

Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Jimmy Patsos has put an emphasis on recruiting locally, and it has never shown as much as on this year’s roster. Three players – sophomore guard Dylon Cormier (Cardinal Gibbons), sophomore forward Jordan Latham (City) and freshman guard R.J. Williams (St. Frances) are products of schools within the city limits.

Loyola hits the road for its final two games of the 2011-2012 regular-season. The Greyhounds will play at Rider on Friday, February 24, in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Loyola then wraps up the regular-season at Manhattan on Sunday, February 26.

BALTIMORE – UMBC fought from behind the entire game, tied visiting Robert Morris early in the fourth quarter, but never got the lead and fell to the Colonials (2-0), 10-8, in the Retrievers’ season opener.

Robert Morris got out to a 2-0 lead by the 9:30 mark of the first quarter, but goals by Linkous and senior midfielder Rob Grimm (Black River, N.Y.) tied the score at 2-2 just 38 seconds into the second quarter.

But the Colonials outscored UMBC, 4-1, in just over nine minutes in the second stanza and took a 6-3 lead into intermission.

Both teams scored twice in the third quarter, but UMBC took advantage of Robert Morris’ penalties to score three times in the first 4:41 of the fourth period to forge an 8-8 tie. Jones sandwiched a pair of man-up goals on identical looks from the left side around a drive and score by Linkous to even the score.

But the tie lasted only 31 seconds. The Colonials won their lone draw of the fourth quarter and scored with good ball movement, as freshman attackman Jacob Ruest put away a Graves feed from close range to restore RMU’s lead.

UMBC then drew a pair of fouls on their next possession and played 6-on-4 for 30 seconds and 6-on-5 for another minute. But Colonial goalkeeper, Matt Bukovac made a pair of saves on UMBC sophomore midfielder Dave Brown (Coopersburg, Pa.) and RMU cashed in on a fast break opportunity just after the second penalty expired. Abbott finished on Jake Hayes’ second assist of the day and gave the visitors a two-goal lead with 5:46 remaining.

Bukovac made two more saves down the stretch, one on a man-up situation for UMBC, to preserve the victory. In his first collegiate start, the Ashburn, Va. native was stellar with 16 stops.

UMBC junior netminder Adam Cohen (Arnold, Md./St. Mary’s) was nearly as good, with ten saves, but several were of a five-star variety.

The Retrievers dominated statistically, outshooting RMU, 47-32, winning 15 of 21 face-offs and capturing 38 ground balls to 27 for the Colonials. UMBC sophomore Phil Poe (Harwood, Md./DeMatha) attempted all 21 draws for UMBC and led all players with six ground balls.

But UMBC did commit 19 turnovers, leading to several of the Robert Morris scores. The Retrievers did score two extra-man goals, but missed on six additional opportunities, while the Colonials did not have an man-up chance.

Jones was the lone Retriever with a three-point day, adding an assist to his two goals, while Grimm (1g, 1a) and Brown (2a) also had multiple points. Graves and Abbott each had an assist to go along with the two goals, while Hayes had a goal and two helpers.

The UMBC men’s lacrosse team opens its 45th season of intercollegiate lacrosse on Saturday, Feb. 18 when the Retrievers host Robert Morris University. This will be the first meeting between UMBC and RMU on the lacrosse field. The opening face-off takes place at 1:00 p.m. at UMBC Stadium. All UMBC home lacrosse games are streamed with several cameras and audio on www.umbcretrievers.tv.

SCOUTING THE RETRIEVERS

In 2012, head coach Don Zimmerman enters his 19th season at UMBC. Amongst active Division I coaches, he is ninth in total victories (208) and 14th in winning percentage (.615). Ed Stephenson, who spent six years (1995-2000) at UMBC, returns as associate head coach and joins former Retriever Andy Gallagher and Rocco Vicchio on the sidelines.

Twenty-five players and eight starters return from last year’s squad. The Retrievers (6-7, 3-2 AEC) had a winning league record and earned a spot in the four-team America East Conference Championships for the eighth consecutive year.

SR A Rob Grimm JR A Scott Jones and JR D Ethan Murphy have been named captains for the 2012 Retrievers. Grimm is UMBC’s active scoring leader with 89 points (43-46-89). He needs 11 points to become the 29th player in school history to hit the 100-point plateau.

UMBC is now in its 45th season of varsity men’s lacrosse with a record of 333-275 (.548). They are 217-210 (.508) in their 31st year at the Division I level. The Retrievers are 34-12 (.739) at home in the last six seasons.

SCOUTING THE COLONIALS

For the first time in school history, the Robert Morris University men’s lacrosse program had former Colonials selected in a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) draft as Trevor Moore and Patrick Smith were both chosen in the 2012 MLL Supplemental Draft held in December. Moore, who led the nation in goals per game in 2011, was picked in the 10th round by the Chesapeake Bayhawks, while Smith was taken in the 12th round by the Ohio Machine.

Senior Kiel Matisz and junior Jake Hayes both tallied hat tricks to help first-year mentor Andrew McMinn earn a win in his collegiate head-coaching debut as the Robert Morris men’s lacrosse team held off a late Bellarmine charge to claim a 9-8 victory in each squad’s 2012 regular-season opener last Saturday afternoon.

Robert Morris earned its first postseason berth in school history in 2011 and also became the first Division I program since 1997 to lead the nation in scoring offense in back-to-back seasons. The Colonials’ victory over Bucknell was also its first over a nationally-ranked opponent in school history.

Senior midfielder Kyle Buchanan is the Colonials’ leading returning scorer- he had 20 goals and 16 assists in 2012.

TOP DAWG: In 2009, Head Coach Don Zimmerman earned his third America East Coach of the Year honors in the four years. Zimmerman enters the 2012 season 9th in victories (208) and 14th in winning percentage (61.5%) amongst active Division I coaches. The win over Binghamton on April 10, 2010 was the 200th in the career of UMBC head coach Don Zimmerman. He is now 208-130 in his 26th year as a collegiate mentor. Zimmerman is the 10th active coach to record 200 victories. He coached his 250th game at UMBC vs. Hartford on May 4, 2012.

“We are pleased with the selection of Rob, Scott and Ethan as this year’s captains,” head coach Don Zimmerman said. “They are outstanding individuals in their own right, and this trio will now have the opportunity to work together as leaders, representing the 2012 Retrievers on and off the playing field.”

CONGRATS: Four returning players received their first conference accolades. Junior attackman Scott Jones and junior defender Sam McKelvey earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Sophomore Zach Linkous was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team and sophomore Neill Lewnes earned a spot on the conference’s All-Academic squad.

Sixty Retrievers have been honored by the America East Conference on all-league teams since 2004.

BEASTS OF AMERICA EAST: UMBC is now 33-9 in eight years of America East competition and 18-3 at UMBC Stadium.

WINNING THE TIGHT ONES: UMBC is now 23-12 in games decided by three goals or less since the beginning of the 2007 season. UMBC had won eight straight overtime decisions from 2007-09 until dropping a Feb. 20, 2010 triple overtime decision to Delaware. UMBC’s previous overtime loss was an 11-10 setback at Penn early in the 2006 season. In one-goal decisions, UMBC has now won four in a row (dating back to a 6-5 loss to Princeton in 2009) and 15 of its last 19.

UMBC is now 15-5 in Don Zimmerman’s 17 seasons in overtime and in his career, Coach Zimmerman is 17-7 in extra time.

HOME, SWEET HOME: After 14 consecutive winning seasons at UMBC Stadium, the Retrievers were 1-6 at home in 2010. However, UMBC bounced back to go 4-1 last year and is 34-12 (.739) at home since 2006. The Retrievers have currently won four in a row at UMBC Stadium.

FOR OPENERS: Prior to the loss to the Blue Hens last sesaon, UMBC had won its last seven home openers since an 11-4 loss to Navy in 2002. After the setback to Rutgers last week, Coach Zimmerman is now 11-7 in UMBC home openers.

THE HITS JUST KEEP COMING: UMBC’s 45 wins over a four-year period (2006-09) is the most in the school’s history, surpassing the 42 wins recorded from 1974-1977. For the first time in school history, UMBC won 10 or more games in four consecutive seasons.

Programs With Most Victories, 2006-09

1. Virginia 58

2. Duke 56

3. Cornell 50

4. Syracuse 47

5. UMBC 45

DON’T LOOK BACK: UMBC is now in its 45th season of varsity men’s lacrosse with a record of 333-275 (.548). The Retrievers played their 600th intercollegiate match on March 18, 2012 at Maryland. They are 217-210 (.508) in their 31st year at the Division I level, achieving win No. 200 vs. Ohio State on March 21, 2009. Before the win over Towson on April 1, 2008, the last time the program was last over the .500 mark at the Division I level was when at the end of its third season (1983) when the record was 19-18.

POWERFUL POWER PLAY: UMBC has been nationally ranked in man-up percentage in four of the past six years. In 2009, the Retrievers led the country in man-up situations and set a school record by converting on 51.7% (30 of 57) of its opportunities.

Year Man-Up Pct. Year-End National Rank

2009 .517 1st

2007 .464 5th

2006 .417 7th

2005 .444 2nd

2004 .379 10th

Junior attackman Rob Grimm is UMBC’s active scoring leader with 89 points (43-46-89). He needs 11 points to become the 29th player in school history to hit the 100-point plateau. Grimm has points in 36 of 41 games played in his career.

Grimm’s Five-Point Games

March 31, 2009 2g, 3a vs. Towson

Feb. 19, 2011 1g, 4a at Presbyterian

March 5, 2011 3g, 2a at North Carolina

April 6, 2011 3g, 2a vs. Towson

May 3, 2012 4g, 1a at Hartford

HAT TRICKS: Sophomore Scott Jones posted his second career three-goal game by tallying UMBC’s first three of the contest at Maryland. He recorded four goals in the opener at Presbyterian, added five at Albany on April 16 and recorded his fourth of the campaign vs. Vermont. UMBC’s had 11 hat tricks in 2011 – others have come from Dave Brown (4g at Presbyterian, 3g vs. Binghamton) Rob Grimm (UNC, Hartford), Scott Hopmann (Presbyterian), Joe Lustgarten (Hartford) and Jamie Kimbles (Albany).

WHAT BROWN CAN DO FOR YOU: Dave Brown posted a six-point game (1 goal, 5 assists) at Albany on April 16. The five assists in a game was tied for sixth in the nation last season and was UMBC’s top-assist game since Drew Westervelt had six vs. Vermont on April 21, 2007.

TOUGH STANZA: In its seven losses in 2011, UMBC was outscored, 30-9, in the second quarter. UMBC had scored 13 goals in the second quarter in its first eight games before exploding for six in a 6:50 span of the second stanza vs. Binghamton on April 9.

TOUGHER STANZA: UMBC was outscored, 39-17, in the third quarter last season, including 17-6 in five America East games, plus the semifinal contest at Hartford.

GOOD STANZA: In UMBC’s six wins, UMBC has outscored its foes, 19-9, in the fourth quarter. For the season, UMBC has won the fourth period, 36-24, and are a +6 (14-8) in 2011 league play.

REMEMBER THIS ONE?: The Retrievers trailed Quinnpiac, 5-4, after three quarters before rallying to win, 9-7. UMBC’s last win when trailing after three quarters occurred in the 2008 America East title game vs. Albany when the Retrievers were behind 12-9 after 45 minutes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the college lacrosse season is just getting under way across the country, The Tewaaraton Award is pleased to announce the 2012 Men’s and Women’s Watch Lists. The lists include the top players across all three divisions of collegiate lacrosse and highlight the early contenders for the 2012 Tewaaraton Award.

This year’s list has 64 schools represented, which is a record high. “We are particularly excited with the number of schools represented in this year’s Watch List, which is a strong indication of the growth of the sport and the excitement that the Award creates throughout the lacrosse world” said Jeff Harvey, Chairman of the Tewaaraton Award.

The Selection Committees are made up of top collegiate coaches and are appointed each year by the Tewaaraton Award. “Our selection committees have a passion for this Award and these Watch List players should know that this is a distinction that only the best coaches could provide,” said Sarah Aschenbach, Executive Director of the Tewaaraton Award.

The Selection Committees will make additions to these lists as the season progresses and athletes earn a spot along side these elite players. In late April, both lists will be narrowed to 25 and these men and women will earn the distinction of Tewaaarton Nominees. In mid-May, the 5 Finalists in each category will be announced. These finalists will be invited to the Tewaaraton Award Ceremony, which will take place on May 31st, at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.

For information on the Award and to purchase tickets to the event, go to www.tewaaraton.com.

About The Tewaaraton Award

The Tewaaraton Award was formally established in August of 2000 with the inaugural presentation taking place at The University Club of Washington DC in June of 2001. The Tewaaraton Trophy symbolizes lacrosse’s centuries-old roots in Native American heritage. Tradition dictates that each year the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Iroquois Confederacy: the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and the Tuscarora. To honor the heritage of the sport, the Award presents two annual scholarships to students of American Indian decent. The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award honoring the nation’s top male and female collegiate lacrosse players and is endorsed by the Mohawk Nation Council of Elders and US Lacrosse.

About The University Club of the City of Washington, DC

Established in 1904 during the tenure of William Howard Taft, the Club’s first President and later the President of the United States, the membership is a diverse mix of professional, business and government leaders. The Club’s mission is to provide members and their families: congenial social gatherings, good fellowship, excellent dining, guest rooms, athletics, a rich variety of cultural, international and educational programs activities, and other services to enhance health, wellness, intellectual growth and fitness within the Club’s superbly maintained and expanded historic Clubhouse.

The Greyhounds play their first of three remaining Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season games, all on the road, on Wednesday night in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., against Marist College at 7 p.m.

Series History

Wednesday will mark the 51st time that Marist and Loyola have met on the basketball hardwood. The Red Foxes hold a 27-23 advantage in the previous 50 meetings, but Loyola has won the last seven in the series and eight of the last nine.

The Greyhounds defeated Marist, 76-63, in the teams’ MAAC season-opener on December 1, 2011. Five Loyola players scored in double figures, led Dylon Cormier’s 15 points. Erik Etherly had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and R.J. Williams dished out six assists.

Last season, the Greyhounds swept the season series, winning 83-67 in Reitz Arena and 75-69 in Poughkeepsie.

Balance Abound

Loyola enters the penultimate week of its regular season as one of only two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams (Rider) to boast four players with double-figure scoring averages.

The Greyhounds are the only team with four players who have averages of 11.2 or greater – Dylon Cormier (14.0), Erik Etherly (13.6), Robert Olson (11.9) and Justin Drummond (11.2).

Leading The Charge

Erik Etherly and Robert Olson have been the Greyhounds’ two most consistent scorers since the calendar flipped to 2012, averaging a combined 29.9 points per game since January 5, a span of 12 games.

Etherly has scored one more point than Olson during those 12 games, 180-179 and averages 15.0 points to Olson’s 14.9.

Combined, the duo is shooting 52.6-percent from the field (120-of-228) and 73.6 (81-of-110) from the free-throw line.

Etherly also leads Loyola with a 7.8 rebounds per game mark during the last 12 games, while Olson is third on the team, averaging 3.9.

Tops In Conference Play, Too

Robert Olson and Erik Etherly have also paced the Greyhounds in their 15 MAAC games thus far as the top two scorers. Etherly again is slightly ahead of Olson, scoring-wise, tallying 210 (14.0 per game) points to Olson’s 208 (13.9).

Etherly has averaged 7.4 rebounds in 15 conference games, and Olson is third on the team with an average of 4.2.

MAAC Honors

Erik Etherly was named MAAC Player of the Week Monday for the second time this season. He averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds against Iona and Fairfield.

Tying School Marks

Friday night’s win over Iona improved Loyola’s record to 19-5 overall and 12-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season.

The Greyhounds’ 19 wins tie the 2007-2008 team’s school Division I record for most victories, and the 12 wins also tie the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 squads for most wins in the league.

Loyola’s 19 wins are also tied for fourth-most all-time in school history.

Through 25

Despite Sunday’s loss, Loyola’s 19-6 start through its first 25 games of the season ranks is tied for the best start in that many games in school history, matching the record the 1947-1948 “Lefty” Reitz-coached team put forth.

Reitz Was Rockin’

The Greyhounds’ games in Reitz Arena against Rider and Iona were both been sellout crowds of 2,100. It marked the first time since Reitz opened in December 1984 that the gym has had back-to-back sellout crowds.

The crowd on February 3 against Rider was the building’s first sellout since November 14, 2008, against Mount St. Mary’s.

Offensive Onslaught

Loyola turned in season highs in points (87), field goals made (32) and field goals attempted (63) on Friday night against Iona.

The Greyhounds’ 47 points in the first half were also the most they’ve scored in the first 20 minutes this season and were tied for the most in either half, matching the 47 scored on November 14 against Coppin State in the second half.

Eight Field Goals For Three

Three Greyhounds knocked down eight or more field goals Friday night against Iona. Erik Etherly was 9-of-12 from the field, Justin Drummond 8-of-12, and Dylon Cormier 8-of-16.

It was the first time in the eight-year tenure of Jimmy Patsos as head coach that three or more players have made eight or more baskets in the same game.

Etherly, Cormier Top 20

For the second time this year, Erik Etherly and Dylon Cormier both topped the 20-point mark. The duo also accomplished the feat on November 17 at UMBC when Etherly scored a career-best 27, and Cormier finished with 20.

On Friday night, Etherly and Cormier’s combined 44 points were just over half of the Greyhounds’ 87.

Drummond Raises Efficiency

Justin Drummond had his best shooting night of the season Friday versus Iona, making 8-of-12 shots (.667). Drummond, who shot .446 as a freshman last year, has seen his field-goal percentage dip to .387 this year.

His previous best outing of the season came on December 28 at Bucknell when he was 5-of-8 (.625) from the floor.

Strong Inside

Erik Etherly’s performance in the paint on Friday night was a key reason the Greyhounds defeated the Gaels after falling by 11 in New Rochelle, N.Y., to the same team last month.

In the January 15 loss, Etherly scored nine points and had seven rebounds, but Friday night he finished with a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He also had three assists, two blocked shots and a steal.

Defensive Presence

Jordan Latham did not play in the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Iona, an 11-point setback, but the sophomore forward made his presence known Friday night.

He came off the bench and played 14 minutes and had four blocked shots. Three of his blocks were not just redirects, but true swats of the ball. Each of his blocked shots came against different Iona players and in different situations. Twice, Latham swatted shots by driving guards, and he twice denied post players.

The four blocks were a career-high for Latham.

R.J.’s Assists Equal Success

R.J. Williams recorded five assists in the win Friday night over Iona, the fourth time this year he’s dished out five or more. The Greyhounds are 7-0 this season in games that Williams has four or more helpers.

As a team, the Greyhounds are 4-0 this year when recorded 15 or more assists, like they did Friday night.

Etherly’s Last Eleven

Erik Etherly continued his solid play of late with 22 points against Iona and 17 versus Fairfield last weekend. The game against the Stags marked the seventh straight game Etherly has scored 15 or more, raising his 11-game scoring average to 15.6 points, best on the team during that stretch.

Etherly also has averaged 7.9 rebounds, just above his season average, during the stretch that dates back to the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Canisius on January 7.

During the stretch, Etherly has scored in double figures 10 times – he finished with nine at Iona – and he has scored 15 or more eight times.

Fastest To 19

Loyola’s win over Iona was the Greyhounds’ 19th of the season, marking their fastest path to 19 victories since joining Division I for the 1981-1982 season. The Greyhounds’ arrival at 19 wins after just 24 games came by a wide margin over the previous best.

The 2007-2008 squad, set the previous standard, reaching 19 wins in 30 games, six more than this year’s team.

Good MAAC Start

With wins in 12 of its first 15 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games this season, Loyola is off to its best start in league play since joining the league in 1989-1990. The Greyhounds’ previous best starts were 10-5 in 2007-2008.

Last Time Out

Loyola outscored Iona 36-20 in the last 13:40 of the first half to built a 17-point advantage at the break that it would extend to 25 on two second-half occasions.

Iona steadily chipped away at the Greyhounds’ advantage, pulling to within four with less than 30 seconds to play, but Robert Olson and Erik Etherly both hit 2-of-2 from the line in the last 21 ticks of the clock to secure an 87-81 win for Loyola.

For the first time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1981-1982), Loyola held six consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points.

During the span, all Loyola victories, the Greyhounds have held Siena, Saint Peter’s (twice), Niagara, Canisius and Rider to an average of 53.2 points per game.

The Greyhounds previously had held three teams to sub-60 performances just once since joining Division I, and that came during 1981-1982, their first season at this level.

The last time a Loyola team held six-straight teams under 60, regardless of division, came in January-February 1977 when it held six teams in a row – Southampton, Saint Peter’s, Randolph-Macon, Mount St. Mary’s, Baltimore and Philadelphia Textile – to 59 or fewer. The Greyhounds, however, were just 3-3 in that stretch.

During The Six

Loyola’s success during the last six games is reflected in several statistics. Opponents are shooting .387, .046 lower than the season average of .433. Also, Loyola held foes to .241 from 3-point range, more than 10 points lower than the season mark of .350.

Following the Greyhounds’ game at Iona on January 15, Loyola was ranked 265th in field-goal percentage defense (.449), 325th in 3-point defense (.389), and 163rd in scoring defense (66.2).

The last six games have moved the Greyhounds to 193rd in field goal percentage defense (.443), 215th in 3-point defense (.350) and 71st in scoring defense (62.8).

Olson’s January, Continued

After a stretch of not scoring in double figures for the last three games of December and the first two in January, Robert Olson was the Greyhounds’ leading scorer during the first month of the new calendar year, averaging 13.8. He continued his stretch of scoring in February, averaging 15.8 points in four games.

In Loyola’s last 11 games, a stretch in which the Greyhounds are 9-2, Olson has averaged a team-best 15.5 points per game, second-most on the team.

During those 11 games, his low total is 11, coming at Niagara. He is shooting .518 from the field (55-of-106) and a more impressive .530 (35-of-66) from 3-point range.

Olson has made at least two 3-pointers in each of the 11 games and has three or more in all but three.

Overall this season, Olson is shooting 45.8-percent from 3-point range, and his 54 threes made this season are 14th in school single-season history. His 3-point field goal percentage currently stands second in school single-season history.

Olson has made 126 threes in his career, good for sixth-best all-time at Loyola, passing Gerald Brown (2006-2008) in the game against Fairfield.

Senior Stepping Up

Shane Walker’s play over the Greyhounds’ wins against Canisius, Rider and Saint Peter’s was more in line with his season averages after tailing off some during the month of January.

Walker averaged 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds against Canisius, Rider and Saint Peter’s, a stretch in which he also had eight assists, eight blocked shots and six steals.

In January’s first eight games, every contest that month except for the date at Canisius, Walker scored just 5.4 points per game, shooting 26.5-percent from the field and 23.5-percent from 3-point range. His rebounds per game also dipped to 5.1.

Over the last three, however, Walker has shot 48.6-percent from the field and a modest 33.3-percent from 3-point range. He had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds at Canisius, a season-high 12 boards versus Rider, and then a 14-point, 5-steal performance at Saint Peter’s.

Something Had To Give

Entering last Friday night’s game against Rider, Loyola had held four consecutive opponents to 57 or fewer points, while the Broncs were averaging 87.5 points in their previous three games.

Loyola’s defense prevailed in the contest, holding Rider to 12 points in the first half and just 46 overall. It was the Broncs’ lowest scoring game since February 2008 when Fairfield held them to 40.

Almost 20 Years

Rider’s 46 points were the fewest Loyola has allowed since the Greyhounds defeated Niagara, 68-45, on February 21, 1992, a stretch of 521 games.

Loyola has now held opponents to 49 or fewer points eight times since joining NCAA Division I in 1981-1982. The Greyhounds did it twice each in 1981-1982, 1984-1985 and 1991-1992 and once in 1983-1984.

Bracketbuster Opponent Named

Loyola learned Monday that it will host Boston University of the America East Conference in its sixth appearance in the Sears’ Bracketbuster Event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will play Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon in Reitz Arena.

Tied For Third In Road Wins

As of the beginning of the week, Loyola’s 10 road wins had them tied for third in all of NCAA Division I for victories away from its home court.

Cleveland State and Wagner lead the way with 11 while Loyola is tied with Harvard, Murray State, Iona and Robert Morris.

Olson Scores In Bunches

Robert Olson scored seven points in a 23-second stretch versus Fairfield, going on a 7-0 run by himself. Fairfield led 62-55 when Olson pulled up for an 18-foot jumper with 1:42 left in regulation. He then hit a shot with his foot on the 3-point line 15 ticks later to make it a 3-point Stags lead. The junior guard tied the game at 62-62 with 1:19 on the clock with a three from the right side.

Olson finished with 15 points, 13 coming in the second half. Earlier in the stanza, an Olson three at the 14:38 mark cut Fairfield’s largest lead of 15 to 12, and he then knocked one down with 10:04 on the clock.

It was the second game in a row Olson has scored seven-straight points in the second half. He went on a personal 7-0 run against Canisius to move Loyola’s lead back to 11 after the Golden Griffins cut it to four.

The second half has often been a big one for Olson. Last year, he scored nine points in 83 seconds to help defeat Morgan State, and against Iona in Baltimore, Olson made a three pointer with seven ticks of the clock left to tie and send the game to overtime. He then scored the game’s last four points to secure the victory.

Walker Moves Into Second

Shane Walker blocked two Fairfield shots in the first three minutes of the game, and he then swatted a Maurice Barrow layup with 13:58 on the clock, tying him for second all-time at Loyola in blocked shots.

With five blocks against Canisius, Walker now has 124 blocks in his career and is all alone in second place. Brian Carroll (1997-2001) holds the school record with 213.

Everyone On The Offensive Boards

Loyola leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding as a team, averaging 13.8, more than a full rebound more per game that second-place Canisius (12.7).

Despite the team ranking, no Greyhounds player is higher than seventh in the conference in offensive rebounds per game. Erik Etherly is tied for sixth with 2.6, while Justin Drummond is 13th with 2.1.

Thievery

Loyola caused 20 Siena turnovers, and the Greyhounds were credited with 19 steals. R.J. Williams led the way with a career-high five, while Erik Etherly, Dylon Cormier and Robert Olson each had three.

The 19 steals are the second-most in school history, one more than the Greyhounds posted in a November 29, 1997, game at Kent State. It is also the most Loyola has recorded against a Division I opponent. The school single-game record of 20 came on February 28, 1996, when the team closed the regular-season against St. Mary’s (Md.).

Running Away

Runs have been a big part of the Greyhounds’ success this year. Here is a look at some runs of note:

Opponent

Run

Start

Finish

Coppin State

10-1, 4:26

31-32, 1:36 (1)

41-33, 17:11 (2)

at UMBC

16-4, 8:08

35-31, 19:16 (2)

51-34, 11:08 (2)

FGCU

22-5, 6:53

15-16, 8:08 (1)

37-21, 1:11 (1)

Marist

9-0, 1:50

47-48, 11:16 (2)

56-48, 9:26 (2)

Marist

15-3, 5:47

61-57, 6:03 (2)

76-60, :16 (2)

at Siena

13-0; 4:27

0-2, 19:28 (1)

13-2; 15:35 (1)

at The Mount

9-0, 1:55

24-26, 1:59 (1)

33-26, :04 (1)

Canisius

18-4, 10:14

57-53, 10:14 (2)

75-57, 2:11 (2)

at Fairfield

36-21, 16:42

30-45, 16:42 (2)

66-63, Final

Siena

22-2, 7:36

40-47, 10:35 (2)

62-49, 2:49 (2)

Saint Peter’s

20-5, 8:13

15-20, 8:55 (1)

35-25, :48 (1)

at Niagara

15-2, 5:42

44-46, 7:48 (2)

59-48, 1:58 (2)

at Canisius

24-2, 12:04

16-22, 8:02 (1)

40-24, 15:58 (2)

Rider

18-0, 8:06

6-5, 16:50 (1)

24-5, 8:55 (2)

Iona

36-17, 12:50

11-10, 13:40 (1)

47-28, 00:50 (1)

Century Mark

Head Coach Jimmy Patsos became the third coach in Loyola history to win 100 games when the Greyhounds defeated UMBC, 73-63, on the road. Patsos, who is in his eighth season, took over a team that finished 1-27 during the 2002-2003 season. He won his 100th game in his 215th career game.

Last season, Patsos moved into third-place all time at Loyola in victories, trailing only Lefty Reitz (349 wins, 1937-44, 1945-61) and Nap Doherty (165, 1961-74).

Loyola All-Time Coaching Wins List

1.

349

Lefty Reitz

1937-1944, 1945-1961

2.

165

Nap Doherty

1961-1974

3.

117

Jimmy Patsos

2004-present

4.

85

Mark Amatucci

1982-1989

5.

72

Gary Dicovitsky

1976-1981

Two Of A Kind

Although unofficial, research shows that Jimmy Patsos is one of only two coaches in the last 20 years to take a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival.

Brigham Young finished the 1996-1997 season with a 1-25 record. Steve Cleveland took over the following season and tallied 138 wins until his departure for Fresno State after the 2004-2005 season.

Men’s & Women’s Coaches With 100

Loyola University Maryland is one of just 26 mid-major schools that has men’s and women’s basketball coaches with 100 or more victories at their current school after Greyhound women’s coach Joe Logan got his 100th on December 18 in a win at George Washington.

Loyola is the only school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to have accomplished the feat, and it is one of only five institutions at which the coaches have both won 100 or more games in 10 or fewer seasons.

Getting To The Line

As a team, Loyola went to the free-throw line 46 times at UMBC, making 31. The 46 attempts are the sixth-most all-time and most since the 2004-2005 squad attempted 53 on December 5, 2004, against Niagara.

Loyola’s 31 free throws made rank 11th on the school single-game chart and were the most since making 32 on January 14, 2009, versus NJIT.

Although his shot was not falling at UMBC, Dylon Cormier still found ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor. The sophomore guard was just 2-of-9 from the field, but he went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 15, and finished with 20 points.

Cormier’s 15 free throws made are tied for sixth in Loyola single-game history, matching the total made by Mike Powell at Saint Peter’s on December 6, 1997, and Donovan Thomas against Marist on February 23, 2003. The 15 makes were the most by a Loyola player since Jamal Barney set the school record with 18 on January 14, 2009, against NJIT. His 17 attempts rank tied for sixth all-time.

Baltimore Bred And More From Nearby

Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Jimmy Patsos has put an emphasis on recruiting locally, and it has never shown as much as on this year’s roster. Three players – sophomore guard Dylon Cormier (Cardinal Gibbons), sophomore forward Jordan Latham (City) and freshman guard R.J. Williams (St. Frances) are products of schools within the city limits.

Loyola plays its final non-conference game of the 2011-2012 regular season when it hosts Boston University in the Sears’ Bracketbuster event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will take the court at Reitz Arena on Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon. Loyola will also honor its seniors following the contest.

Opening Face-Off
Opening their 54th season of college lacrosse, the Tigers will travel to Jacksonville University on Saturday afternoon to face the Dolphins in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Opening face-off from D.B. Milne Field is set for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on TowsonTigers.com and joined in progress on WNST-AM 1570 after the Tiger men’s basketball game against James Madison concludes.

Nadelen to Make Debut as Tigers’ Head Coach
After spending seven years as an assistant coach, including the last two seasons as the associate head coach, Coach Shawn Nadelen will make his head coaching debut when the Tigers travel to Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon. A 2001 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Nadelen was named as the seventh head coach in the 54-year history of Towson men’s lacrosse on May 31. He replaces Tony Seaman, who posted a 99-93 record in 13 years with the Tigers.

A Quick Look Back at Last Year
The Tigers posted a 3-10 record last year and missed the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament for just the second time since joining the league in 2002. Five of the Tigers’ losses were by a one-goal margin and two of the Tigers’ three wins occurred at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. Junior attackman Matt Hughes was the Tigers’ leading scorer with 18 goals and 6 assists while defenseman Marc Ingerman was a second-team All-CAA selection.

Scouting the Dolphins
Entering their third season as a Division I program, the Dolphins posted a 5-10 record last year, including a 3-3 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Led by TJ Kenary, the Dolphins advanced to the MAAC semi-finals for the first time in program history before losing to Siena. Kenary scored 21 goals with 7 assists while goalkeeper Peter DeLuca posted an 11.60 goals against average while stopping 50.8 per cent of the shots he faced. Coach Guy Van Arsdale is in his first season at Jacksonville.

Nice to Meet You
The Tigers and the Dolphins will be facing each other for the first time in men’s lacrosse when the two teams meet on Saturday afternoon. Jacksonville is one of two teams that the Tigers will be playing against for the first time; Towson will host Mercer on Mar. 21 at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.

For Openers
The Tigers will be playing in the 54th season opener when they visit the Dolphins on Saturday afternoon. However, the Tigers will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak in season openers after losing a 10-6 decision against Johns Hopkins last year at Unitas Stadium. The Tigers enter the 2012 season with a 23-30 all-time record in season openers.

For Openers, Part II
Towson first-year Coach Shawn Nadelen is looking to become the fifth coach in the program’s history to open his head coaching tenure with a victory. Of the previous six coaches at Towson, only Bob Melville and Ross Sachs have lost their first game as the Tigers’ coach.

Nadelen Among Nation’s Youngest Division I Head Coaches
Towson Coach Shawn Nadelen begins his head coaching tenure as one of the youngest head coaches in Division I men’s lacrosse. Nadelen, who will turn 33 on Apr. 16, is one of 12 coaches who are under the age of 40 years old. Marist College Coach Keegan Wilkinson is the youngest head coach in the nation at 27 years old while Robert Morris first-year Coach Andrew McMinn is 29 years old.

Boys of Winter
Saturday’s game between the Tigers and the Dolphins will mark the earliest start to a season in the 54-year history of the Towson men’s lacrosse program. The previous record for the earliest start in school history occurred last year when the Tigers hosted Johns Hopkins on Feb. 19. It is also the earliest start in the brief history of the Dolphins’ program. North Caro

Heading Down South
Saturday’s game between the Tigers and the Dolphins will mark the furthest south that Towson has ever traveled for a men’s lacrosse game. Prior to Saturday, the Tigers’ southern-most travel was to North Carolina for games against Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina. The Tigers will fly a total of 735 miles to Jacksonville for the game on Saturday.

A Friend Turned Foe
When the Tigers open the season on Saturday afternoon, they will be playing against a former Tiger midfielder as Brock Armour, ‘10 is a member of the Jacksonville coaching staff. A four-year letter winner for the Tigers from 2007-10, Armour played in 52 career games and scored 15 goals with 19 assists. As a senior, he played in all 15 games and tallied four goals with 10 assists. Armour, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is in his first season as a member of the Dolphins’ coaching staff.

Pack Your Bags
The Tigers will open the season by playing their first three games away from Johnny Unitas® Stadium. It is the first time since the 1994 season that the Tigers have played three straight true road games to open the season (Towson played three games away from home in 2005, but one of them was a neutral site game against Air Force that was played at the University of Denver). In 1994, the Tigers opened the season with three straight road wins at Villanova, Maryland and Penn State.

Close Calls
Of the Tigers’ 13 games last season, 10 of them were decided by four goals or less. In addition, the Tigers played in six one-goal games and lost five of those six contests. Since the start of the 2010 season, the Tigers have played in 22 games that have been decided by four goals or less, including 11 one-goal games.

A Little Something Extra
Senior midfielder Michael Brashears ranked second on the Tigers last year with three extra-man goals, including a pair of extra-man goals against Drexel on Apr. 23 at Vidas Field. In fact, all seven of Brashears’ career goals have been scored in extra-man situations. He scored four extra-man goals as a sophomore, including a pair of extra-man goals against Drexel.

Hughes is Huge for Tigers Away from Home
Junior attackman Matt Hughes enjoyed playing away from Unitas Stadium last year, scoring 11 of his team-high 18 goals in the Tigers’ six road games. He posted a pair of three-goal efforts against Mount St. Mary’s on Mar. 5 and at Navy on Mar. 15. Hughes also had two goals with an assist at Delaware on Mar. 26 before a two-goal performance against Penn State on Apr. 16. It was a large contrast to Hughes’ freshman season when he tallied 11 of his 13 goals at home.

Iacona, Kenyon Named as Tigers’ Team Captains
Senior midfielder Carl Iacona and senior defenseman John Kenyon were named as the Tigers’ 2012 team captains prior to the team’s scrimmage against Albany on Feb. 4 by a vote of the team. Iacona is a two-year letter winner who has played in all 28 games for the Tigers since transferring from St. John’s University after his freshman season. He has scored 14 goals with seven assists in the last two years. Meanwhile, Kenyon is a three-year letter winner who ranked second on the team with 38 ground balls last year. He has played in 42 career games and has 50 ground balls.

Up Next for the Tigers
The Tigers will continue their season-opening three-game road trip next Friday when they travel to second-ranked Johns Hopkins for a 5 p.m. match-up against the Blue Jays. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and ESPN3.com in addition to airing on WNST-AM 1570. It will mark the 40th all-time meeting between the two teams in a series that Johns Hopkins leads by a 36-3 margin. The Blue Jays earned a 10-6 victory last year at Unitas Stadium in the season opener for both teams.

The Greyhounds return to Reitz Arena for a pair of weekend games, starting with a Friday night contest against Iona College. Loyola will host the Gaels at 7 p.m. in a nationally televised game from Reitz Arena. The game is the second of a Loyola-Iona doubleheader following a women’s game between the schools at 4 p.m.

Loyola and Iona are currently tied for first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with identical 11-2 records. The Gaels defeated the Greyhounds in the first meeting between the two in January.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the general public are sold out for the game. Loyola students, faculty and staff are encouraged to pick up their tickets to the game as soon as possible, as those tickets are running out.

A limited number of tickets may be available to the general public approximately an hour before the game.

On The Tube

Loyola and Iona will square off in a nationally televised game on ESPNU College Basketball Built by the Home Depot. Doug Sherman will call the play-by-play, and Tim O’Toole will provide the analysis.

The game is Loyola’s third on ESPNU this season following a 66-63 victory at Fairfield on January 13 and a 63-46 win last Friday at home versus Rider. This year, Loyola has already played eight games on television.

Those with access to Watch ESPN on various smart phones, tablets and game consoles can also watch the video broadcast of the action.

Over The Airwaves

The game’s audio will be streamed live on LoyolaGreyhounds.com.

Series History

Loyola and Iona will meet for the 54th time in series history when the teams take the court on Sunday. The Gaels hold a 41-12 advantage in the series after defeating Loyola, 74-63, on January 15, in New Rochelle, N.Y.

The Greyhounds led by as many as seven early in the second half, but a 9-0 run by Iona gave the Gaels a four-point lead with 12:13 to play. Justin Drummond and Dylon Cormier scored to tie the game again for Loyola, but Mike Glover tipped-in an offensive rebound to give Iona the lead for good moments later.

Robert Olson tied his career-high with 21 points, while, and Drummond added 12. Four Iona players scored in double figures, led by Lamont Jones’ 25.

Six Under Sixty

For the first time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1981-1982), Loyola has held six consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points.

Over the last six games, all Loyola victories, the Greyhounds have held Siena, Saint Peter’s (twice), Niagara, Canisius and Rider to an average of 53.2 points per game.

The Greyhounds previously had held three teams to sub-60 performances just once since joining Division I, and that came during 1981-1982, their first season at this level.

The last time a Loyola team held six-straight teams under 60, regardless of division, came in January-February 1977 when it held six teams in a row – Southampton, Saint Peter’s, Randolph-Macon, Mount St. Mary’s, Baltimore and Philadelphia Textile – to 59 or fewer. The Greyhounds, however, were just 3-3 in that stretch.

During The Six

Loyola’s success during the last six games is reflected in several statistics. Opponents are shooting .387, .046 lower than the season average of .433. Also, Loyola has held foes to .241 from 3-point range, more than 10 points lower than the season mark of .350.

Following the Greyhounds’ game at Iona on January 15, Loyola was ranked 265th in field-goal percentage defense (.449), 325th in 3-point defense (.389), and 163rd in scoring defense (66.2).

The last six games have moved the Greyhounds to 193rd in field goal percentage defense (.443), 215th in 3-point defense (.350) and 71st in scoring defense (62.8).

Fastest To 18

Loyola’s win over Saint Peter’s was the Greyhounds’ 18th of the season, marking their fastest path to 18 victories since joining Division I for the 1981-1982 season. The Greyhounds’ arrival at 18 wins after just 23 games came by a wide margin over the previous best.

The 2006-2007 squad, set the previous standard, reaching 18 wins in 30 games, seven more than this year’s team.

Eighteen wins also are tied for the second-most in the program’s Division I history. The 2006-2007 team finished 18-13, and the 2007-2008 side holds the record with a 19-14 mark.

Through 23

Loyola’s 18-5 start through its first 23 games of the season ranks is tied for the third-best start during that many games in program history. The start is the best since 1947-1948 when “Lefty” Reitz’s team opened its season with the same record through 23.

The best start through 23 games came in 1940-1941 when another Reitz-coached team that played only 23 games, finishing the year with a 19-4 record.

Good MAAC Start

With wins in 11 of its first 13 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games this season, Loyola is off to its best start in league play since joining the league in 1989-1990. The Greyhounds’ previous best starts were 9-4 in both 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

Reitz Was Rockin’

Last Friday night’s game against Rider featured the first sellout crowd in Reitz Arena since November 14, 2008, when the Greyhounds hosted Mount St. Mary’s. With only student tickets remaining for the Iona contest, it could be the first back-to-back sellouts since Reitz opened in December 1984.

Threes In The First

Robert Olson put on a shooting clinic in the first half of Sunday’s win at Saint Peter’s, making all four of his 3-point attempts and finishing the stanza with 14 points. While foul trouble limited him to nine second-half minutes, he finished with 19 points, two off his career-high, and he matched his season-high with five 3-pointers.

His only miss from behind the arc in the game came with 32 seconds left in the game. He fired a long three with the shot-clock expiring as Loyola was running out the clock.

Olson is now shooting 45.4-percent from 3-point range, and his 49 threes made this season are tied for 14th in school single-season history. His 3-point field goal percentage currently stands third in school single-season history.

Olson has made 121 threes in his career, good for seventh-best all-time at Loyola. With four more, he will tie Gerald Brown (2006-2008) for sixth.

Etherly’s Last Nine

Erik Etherly continued his solid play of late with 15 points against both Rider and Saint Peter’s. The game against the Broncs marked the fifth time in the Greyhounds’ last eight that he has scored 15 or more points, and it raised his nine-game scoring average to 14.8 points.

Etherly also has averaged 7.6 rebounds, as well, during the stretch that dates back to the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Canisius on January 7.

During the stretch, Etherly has scored in double figures eight times – he finished with nine at Iona – and he has scored 15 or more six times.

Olson’s January, Continued

After a stretch of not scoring in double figures for the last three games of December and the first two in January, Robert Olson was the Greyhounds’ leading scorer during the first month of the new calendar year, averaging 13.8. He continued his stretch of scoring with 14 against Rider and 19 at Saint Peter’s in February’s first two contests.

In Loyola’s last nine games, a stretch in which the Greyhounds are 8-1, Olson has averaged a team-best 15.6 points per game.

During those eight games, his low total is 11, coming at Niagara. He is shooting .552 from the field (48-of-87) and a more impressive .536 (30-of-56) from 3-point range.

Olson has made at least two 3-pointers in each of the nine games and has three or more in all but two (at Niagara, Rider).

Senior Stepping Up

Shane Walker’s play over the Greyhounds’ last three games has been more in line with his season averages after tailing off some during the month of January.

Walker has averaged 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds against Canisius, Rider and Saint Peter’s, a stretch in which he also has eight assists, eight blocked shots and six steals.

In January’s first eight games, every contest that month except for the date at Canisius, Walker scored just 5.4 points per game, shooting 26.5-percent from the field and 23.5-percent from 3-point range. His rebounds per game also dipped to 5.1.

Over the last three, however, Walker has shot 48.6-percent from the field and a modest 33.3-percent from 3-point range. He had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds at Canisius, a season-high 12 boards versus Rider, and then a 14-point, 5-steal performance at Saint Peter’s.

Sticky Fingers

Saint Peter’s had 19 turnovers last Sunday, 15 as the result of Loyola steals. Shane Walker, Anthony Winbush and Robert Olson combined for 12 of the steals, as Walker had 5, Winbush 4 and Olson 3.

Last Time Out

Robert Olson was 4-of-4 from 3-point range in the first half, and the Greyhounds took a 32-23 lead into the locker room at Saint Peter’s, and Loyola held off a second-half Peacocks’ charge.

The Greyhounds were up by 15 just over eight minutes into the second half, but the Peacocks used a 12-2 run over five-plus minutes to pull within five, 51-46. Erik Etherly scored five in a row, and after three Saint Peter’s free throws, Olson made his fifth three of the game, and Loyola was up by 10 or more the rest of the way.

Something Had To Give

Entering last Friday night’s game against Rider, Loyola had held four consecutive opponents to 57 or fewer points, while the Broncs were averaging 87.5 points in their previous three games.

Loyola’s defense prevailed in the contest, holding Rider to 12 points in the first half and just 46 overall. It was the Broncs’ lowest scoring game since February 2008 when Fairfield held them to 40.

Almost 20 Years

Rider’s 46 points were the fewest Loyola has allowed since the Greyhounds defeated Niagara, 68-45, on February 21, 1992, a stretch of 521 games.

Loyola has now held opponents to 49 or fewer points eight times since joining NCAA Division I in 1981-1982. The Greyhounds did it twice each in 1981-1982, 1984-1985 and 1991-1992 and once in 1983-1984.

Field-Goal Defense

Loyola held Rider to 30.6-percent from the floor (15-of-49), the lowest field-goal percentage of the season for a Greyhound opponent. The Broncs’ 15 field goals made were the lowest of the year, as well.

Rider’s field-goal percentage was the lowest by a Loyola opponent since Mount St. Mary’s shot 28.8-percent (17-of-59) on December 11, 2010.

First-Half Defense

Loyola forced 12 Rider turnovers and held the Broncs to 3-of-23 (.130) from the field in the first half on Friday night. The Greyhounds used an 18-0 run to take a 24-5 lead with just under nine minutes to play before the break.

During the 7-minute, 6-second stretch of play, Rider was 0-of-8 from the field, went without an offensive rebound and had six turnovers.

Buffalo Two-Step

The Greyhounds completed a feat they have never accomplished last weekend, sweeping Niagara and Canisius on the road. Since joining the MAAC in 1989-1990, the best Loyola fared on the Western New York roadtrip was a split of the two teams.

January Success

Loyola finished the month of January with a 7-2 record for the second year in a row, duplicating the effort the 2010-2011 squad put together after the calendar flipped.

Including this year, Loyola is 39-19 (.672) during the year’s first month over the last six seasons. The 2006-2007 team set the standard with an 8-2 (.800) record, and the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 sides followed with 7-3 (.700) marks. The 2009-2010 team slid to 3-7 (.300) before last year’s team experienced success again.

During Jimmy Patsos’ eight seasons at Loyola, the Greyhounds are 45-33 (.577) during January.

Assists All-Around

Loyola finished its game at Canisius game with 18 assists, tying its season-high set earlier this year against Florida Gulf Coast and when Canisius played in Baltimore. All five starters had two or more assists, and three had four-plus: Erik Etherly (5), Robert Olson and R.J. Williams (4), Shane Walker (3) and Anthony Winbush (2).

Williams’ Solid Weekend

Freshman point guard R.J. Williams put together one of his better weekends of the season, by averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 assists and just 1.5 turnovers in the victories over Niagara and Canisius.

Williams scored eight points and had a career-best seven assists at Niagara, and he followed that by scoring seven and dishing out four helpers against the Golden Griffins.

Bracketbuster Opponent Named

Loyola learned Monday that it will host Boston University of the America East Conference in its sixth appearance in the Sears’ Bracketbuster Event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will play Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon in Reitz Arena.

FG Percentage Getting It Done

While not the most glamorous mark in the box score, Loyola is 14-0 this season when it shoots 41.3-percent or better from the field. The Greyhounds have made less than 44-percent of their shots and won seven times this season.

As of Monday, the Greyhounds ranked 234th out of 338 teams in NCAA Division I with a .420 field goal percentage, and they are one of just two teams (joining Robert Morris) to have 16 or more wins and rank 225 or higher in the category.

Tied For Second In Road Wins

As of the beginning of the week, Loyola’s 10 road wins had them tied for second in all of NCAA Division I for victories away from its home court.

Cleveland State leads the way with 11, while the Greyhounds are tied with Murray State, Friday’s foe Iona and Wagner.

Olson Scores In Bunches

Robert Olson scored seven points in a 23-second stretch versus Fairfield, going on a 7-0 run by himself. Fairfield led 62-55 when Olson pulled up for an 18-foot jumper with 1:42 left in regulation. He then hit a shot with his foot on the 3-point line 15 ticks later to make it a 3-point Stags lead. The junior guard tied the game at 62-62 with 1:19 on the clock with a three from the right side.

Olson finished with 15 points, 13 coming in the second half. Earlier in the stanza, an Olson three at the 14:38 mark cut Fairfield’s largest lead of 15 to 12, and he then knocked one down with 10:04 on the clock.

It was the second game in a row Olson has scored seven-straight points in the second half. He went on a personal 7-0 run against Canisius to move Loyola’s lead back to 11 after the Golden Griffins cut it to four.

The second half has often been a big one for Olson. Last year, he scored nine points in 83 seconds to help defeat Morgan State, and against Iona in Baltimore, Olson made a three pointer with seven ticks of the clock left to tie and send the game to overtime. He then scored the game’s last four points to secure the victory.

Walker Moves Into Second

Shane Walker blocked two Fairfield shots in the first three minutes of the game, and he then swatted a Maurice Barrow layup with 13:58 on the clock, tying him for second all-time at Loyola in blocked shots.

With five blocks against Canisius, Walker now has 124 blocks in his career and is all alone in second place. Brian Carroll (1997-2001) holds the school record with 213.

Everyone On The Offensive Boards

Loyola leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding as a team, averaging 14.0, more than a full rebound more per game that second-place Canisius (12.9).

Despite the team ranking, no Greyhounds player is higher than seventh in the conference in offensive rebounds per game. Erik Etherly is tied for sixth with 2.6, while Justin Drummond is 13th with 2.2.

Thievery

Loyola caused 20 Siena turnovers, and the Greyhounds were credited with 19 steals. R.J. Williams led the way with a career-high five, while Erik Etherly, Dylon Cormier and Robert Olson each had three.

The 19 steals are the second-most in school history, one more than the Greyhounds posted in a November 29, 1997, game at Kent State. It is also the most Loyola has recorded against a Division I opponent. The school single-game record of 20 came on February 28, 1996, when the team closed the regular-season against St. Mary’s (Md.).

Running Away

Runs have been a big part of the Greyhounds’ success this year. Here is a look at some runs of note:

Opponent

Run

Start

Finish

Coppin State

10-1, 4:26

31-32, 1:36 (1)

41-33, 17:11 (2)

at UMBC

16-4, 8:08

35-31, 19:16 (2)

51-34, 11:08 (2)

FGCU

22-5, 6:53

15-16, 8:08 (1)

37-21, 1:11 (1)

Marist

9-0, 1:50

47-48, 11:16 (2)

56-48, 9:26 (2)

Marist

15-3, 5:47

61-57, 6:03 (2)

76-60, :16 (2)

at Siena

13-0; 4:27

0-2, 19:28 (1)

13-2; 15:35 (1)

at The Mount

9-0, 1:55

24-26, 1:59 (1)

33-26, :04 (1)

Canisius

18-4, 10:14

57-53, 10:14 (2)

75-57, 2:11 (2)

at Fairfield

36-21, 16:42

30-45, 16:42 (2)

66-63, Final

Siena

22-2, 7:36

40-47, 10:35 (2)

62-49, 2:49 (2)

Saint Peter’s

20-5, 8:13

15-20, 8:55 (1)

35-25, :48 (1)

at Niagara

15-2, 5:42

44-46, 7:48 (2)

59-48, 1:58 (2)

at Canisius

24-2, 12:04

16-22, 8:02 (1)

40-24, 15:58 (2)

Rider

18-0, 8:06

6-5, 16:50 (1)

24-5, 8:55 (2)

Century Mark

Head Coach Jimmy Patsos became the third coach in Loyola history to win 100 games when the Greyhounds defeated UMBC, 73-63, on the road. Patsos, who is in his eighth season, took over a team that finished 1-27 during the 2002-2003 season. He won his 100th game in his 215th career game.

Last season, Patsos moved into third-place all time at Loyola in victories, trailing only Lefty Reitz (349 wins, 1937-44, 1945-61) and Nap Doherty (165, 1961-74).

Loyola All-Time Coaching Wins List

1.

349

Lefty Reitz

1937-1944, 1945-1961

2.

165

Nap Doherty

1961-1974

3.

116

Jimmy Patsos

2004-present

4.

85

Mark Amatucci

1982-1989

5.

72

Gary Dicovitsky

1976-1981

Two Of A Kind

Although unofficial, research shows that Jimmy Patsos is one of only two coaches in the last 20 years to take over a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival.

Brigham Young finished the 1996-1997 season with a 1-25 record. Steve Cleveland took over the following season and tallied 138 wins until his departure for Fresno State after the 2004-2005 season.

Men’s & Women’s Coaches With 100

Loyola University Maryland is one of just 26 mid-major schools that has men’s and women’s basketball coaches with 100 or more victories at their current school after Greyhound women’s coach Joe Logan got his 100th on December 18 in a win at George Washington.

Loyola is the only school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to have accomplished the feat, and it is one of only five institutions at which the coaches have both won 100 or more games in 10 or fewer seasons.

Getting To The Line

As a team, Loyola went to the free-throw line 46 times at UMBC, making 31. The 46 attempts are the sixth-most all-time and most since the 2004-2005 squad attempted 53 on December 5, 2004, against Niagara.

Loyola’s 31 free throws made rank 11th on the school single-game chart and were the most since making 32 on January 14, 2009, versus NJIT.

Although his shot was not falling at UMBC, Dylon Cormier still found ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor. The sophomore guard was just 2-of-9 from the field, but he went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 15, and finished with 20 points.

Cormier’s 15 free throws made are tied for sixth in Loyola single-game history, matching the total made by Mike Powell at Saint Peter’s on December 6, 1997, and Donovan Thomas against Marist on February 23, 2003. The 15 makes were the most by a Loyola player since Jamal Barney set the school record with 18 on January 14, 2009, against NJIT. His 17 attempts rank tied for sixth all-time.

Baltimore Bred And More From Nearby

Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Jimmy Patsos has put an emphasis on recruiting locally, and it has never shown as much as on this year’s roster. Three players – sophomore guard Dylon Cormier (Cardinal Gibbons), sophomore forward Jordan Latham (City) and freshman guard R.J. Williams (St. Frances) are products of schools within the city limits.

Loyola University Maryland travels to Jersey City, N.J., for a game on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2012, at Saint Peter’s College. Tip-off has been moved to 12 noon in the Yanitelli Center.

Series History

Sunday’s game will be the 76th all-time meeting by the fellow Jesuit schools with Saint Peter’s holding a 42-33 lead in the series. The series is the second most-played amongst the Greyhounds’ current opponents, trailing only Mount St. Mary’s.

Loyola picked up a 65-54 victory over the Peacocks, last year’s MAAC Champions, on Sunday, January 22, in the teams’ first meeting this season. Erik Etherly scored 19 for the Greyhounds, and Robert Olson added 15.

The teams split last year’s regular-season meetings, each winning on the other’s home court. Saint Peter’s then defeated Loyola in the MAAC Quarterfinals, en route to winning the MAAC Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

Five Under Sixty

For the first time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1981-1982), Loyola has held five consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points.

Over the last four games, all Loyola victories, the Greyhounds have held Siena, Saint Peter’s, Niagara and Canisius to an average of 52.8 points per game.

The Greyhounds previously had held three teams to sub-60 performances just once since joining Division I, and that came during 1981-1982, their first season at this level.

The last time a Loyola team held four-straight teams under 60, regardless of division, came in January-February 1977 when it held six teams in a row – Southampton, Saint Peter’s, Randolph-Macon, Mount St. Mary’s, Baltimore and Philadelphia Textile – to 59 or fewer. The Greyhounds, however, were just 3-3 in that stretch.

Super Bowl Stats

The game against Saint Peter’s will mark the 14th time the Greyhounds will have played on the date of the Super Bowl, and Loyola is 8-5 in the 13 previous games.

As far as signs go, NFC teams are 6-2 when Loyola wins, and NFC teams have a slim 7-6 advantage on days when the Greyhounds play.

Loyola was a winner the last time the Giants and Patriots met in the Super Bowl. The Greyhounds defeated Canisius, 74-62, on February 3, 2008.

Something Had To Give

Entering Friday night’s game against Rider, Loyola had held four consecutive opponents to 57 or fewer points, while the Broncs were averaging 87.5 points in their previous three games.

Loyola’s defense prevailed in the contest, holding Rider to 12 points in the first half and just 46 overall. It was the Broncs’ lowest scoring game since February 2008 when Fairfield held them to 40.

Almost 20 Years

Rider’s 46 points were the fewest Loyola has allowed since the Greyhounds defeated Niagara, 68-45, on February 21, 1992, a stretch of 521 games.

Loyola has now held opponents to 49 or fewer points eight times since joining NCAA Division I in 1981-1982. The Greyhounds did it twice each in 1981-1982, 1984-1985 and 1991-1992 and once in 1983-1984.

Field-Goal Defense

Loyola held Rider to 30.6-percent from the floor (15-of-49), the lowest field-goal percentage of the season for a Greyhound opponent. The Broncs’ 15 field goals made were the lowest of the year, as well.

Rider’s field-goal percentage was the lowest by a Loyola opponent since Mount St. Mary’s shot 28.8-percent (17-of-59) on December 11, 2010.

Two In A Row For Walker

Shane Walker had not recorded a double-figure rebounding performance this season until January 29 at Canisius, and now he has done it twice in as many games. Walker finished his 17-point, 11-rebound game against the Golden Griffins with a game- and season-high 12 boards versus Rider.

Walker’s 11 defensive rebounds were the most this season by any Loyola player.

Cormier Back In Action

Dylon Cormier returned to game action on Friday night after missing the Greyhounds’ contest at Canisius with an ankle injury. Cormier, who was limited to 11 minutes off the bench at Niagara, came off the bench against Rider and finished with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Cormier played 28 minutes against the Broncs and also had a game-high four steals.

First-Half Defense

Loyola forced 12 Rider turnovers and held the Broncs to 3-of-23 (.130) from the field in the first half on Friday night. The Greyhounds used an 18-0 run to take a 24-5 lead with just under nine minutes to play before the break.

During the 7-minute, 6-second stretch of play, Rider was 0-of-8 from the field, went without an offensive rebound and had six turnovers.

Leading Scorers During Last Five

During the stretch of five games in which Loyola has held opponents to 57 or fewer points, the Greyhounds have held the opposing teams’ leading scorers under the season averages entering the game.

Loyola held Chris Prescott (Saint Peter’s) and O.D. Anosike (Siena) to less than a point under their previous averages. Since they, the Greyhounds limited Juan’ya Green (Niagara) to 14, more than three under his average, Harold Washington (Canisius) nine short of his 17+ average and Jeff Jones (Rider) to seven fewer than his 13+ mark.

Fastest To 17

Loyola’s win over Rider was the Greyhounds’ 17th of the season, marking their fastest path to 17 victories since joining Division I for the 1981-1982 season. The Greyhounds’ arrival at 17 wins came by a wide margin over the previous best.

The 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 squads, set the previous standard, reaching 17 wins in 29 games, seven more than this year’s team.

Through 22

Loyola’s 17-5 start through its first 22 games of the season ranks is tied for the third-best start during that many games in program history. The start is the best since 1947-1948 when “Lefty” Reitz’s team opened its season with the same record through 21.

The best start through 21 games came in 1940-1941 when another Reitz-coached team entered the Mason-Dixon Conference Championship with an 18-3 record. That Loyola team defeated Mount St. Mary’s in the semifinals before losing to Western Maryland (now McDaniel) in the title game.

Good MAAC Start

With wins in 10 of its first 12 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games this season, Loyola is off to its best start in league play since joining the league in 1989-1990. The Greyhounds’ previous best MAAC starts were 9-3 in both 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

Olson’s January, Continued

After a stretch of not scoring in double figures for the last three games of December and the first two in January, Robert Olson was the Greyhounds’ leading scorer during the first month of the new calendar year, averaging 13.8. He continued his stretch of scoring with 14 against Rider.

In Loyola’s last eight games, a stretch in which the Greyhounds are 7-1, Olson has averaged a team-best 15.1 points per game.

During those eight games, his low total is 11, coming last Friday at Niagara. He is shooting .532 from the field (42-of-79) and a more impressive .500 (25-of-50) from 3-point range.

Olson has made at least two 3-pointers in each of the seven games and has three or more in all but two (at Niagara, Rider).

Etherly’s Last Eight

Erik Etherly continued his solid play of late with a game-high 15 points against Rider. The game against the Broncs marked the fifth time in the Greyhounds’ last seven that he has scored 15 or more points, and it raised his eight-game scoring average to 14.8 points.

Etherly also has averaged 7.4 rebounds, as well, during the stretch that dates back to the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Canisius on January 7.

The junior forward finished last Sunday’s game against Saint Peter’s with 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, all game highs. He also was 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, matching his season-best for free throws made.

Last Time Out

Rider was within a point, 6-5, after a Jonathon Thompson three less than three minutes in before Loyola went on an 18-0 run that turned into a stretch that the Greyhounds outscored the Broncs, 33-7 to end the half.

The Broncs came out quickly in the second half, scoring the first 11 points and 15 of the first 16. Loyola, however, quickly stamped out the run, going back up by 20 with 9:35 to play.

Buffalo Two-Step

The Greyhounds completed a feat they have never accomplished last weekend, sweeping Niagara and Canisius on the road. Since joining the MAAC in 1989-1990, the best Loyola fared on the Western New York roadtrip was a split of the two teams.

January Success

Loyola finished the month of January with a 7-2 record for the second year in a row, duplicating the effort the 2010-2011 squad put together after the calendar flipped.

Including this year, Loyola is 39-19 (.672) during the year’s first month over the last six seasons. The 2006-2007 team set the standard with an 8-2 (.800) record, and the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 sides followed with 7-3 (.700) marks. The 2009-2010 team slid to 3-7 (.300) before last year’s team experienced success again.

During Jimmy Patsos’ eight seasons at Loyola, the Greyhounds are 45-33 (.577) during January.

Double-Double For Walker

Shane Walker led all players with 17 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday’s win at Canisius, his first double-double of the season and seventh of his career.

Walker scored 11 points in the first half and also had six offensive rebounds during the game, the most by any Loyola player this season. He was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, as well.

Defense As Good Or Better

While Walker’s contributions on the boards and offense were solid, Shane Walker’s defense against Canisius was even better.

Walker finished the game with five blocked shots and altered several more with his presence in the post. The five blocks were the most this season by a Loyola player and just one off Walker’s previous career high of six that came on January 15, 2010, at Marist.

Winbush Continues Contributions As Starter

Anthony Winbush got his fifth start of the season Sunday at Canisius in place of the injured Dylon Cormier, and Winbush made his presence known in several areas.

He finished the game with six rebounds, four offensive, and had a season-high five steals, one off his career high of six which came in a December 2009 victory at Indiana. His defensive versatility was also critical as Canisius started four guards.

During Loyola’s modest four-game winning streak, Winbush has averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He also has averages of 1.8 assists and steals per game.

Assists All-Around

Loyola finished Sunday’s game with 18 assists, tying its season-high set earlier this year against Florida Gulf Coast and when Canisius played in Baltimore. All five starters had two or more assists, and three had four-plus: Erik Etherly (5), Robert Olson and R.J. Williams (4), Shane Walker (3) and Anthony Winbush (2).

Williams’ Solid Weekend

Freshman point guard R.J. Williams put together one of his better weekends of the season, by averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 assists and just 1.5 turnovers in the victories over Niagara and Canisius.

Williams scored eight points and had a career-best seven assists at Niagara, and he followed that by scoring seven and dishing out four helpers against the Golden Griffins.

Bracketbuster Opponent Named

Loyola learned Monday that it will host Boston University of the America East Conference in its sixth appearance in the Sears’ Bracketbuster Event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will play Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon in Reitz Arena.

Sharper Shooting

Loyola recorded its second-best shooting performance of the season at Niagara, finishing the game 21-of-40, a 52.5-percent clip. The number was buoyed significantly by an 11-of-16, 68.8-percent, mark in the second half.

The Greyhounds’ second-half numbers represented their best 20 minutes of the season. Meanwhile, Loyola made 80-percent (24-of-30) of its free throws, as well, on Friday night, their best free-throw shooting performance of the season.

FG Percentage Getting It Done

While not the most glamorous mark in the box score, Loyola is 14-0 this season when it shoots 41.3-percent or better from the field. The Greyhounds have made less than 44-percent of their shots and won seven times this season.

As of Monday, the Greyhounds ranked 234th out of 338 teams in NCAA Division I with a .420 field goal percentage, and they are one of just two teams (joining Robert Morris) to have 16 or more wins and rank 225 or higher in the category.

Tied For Second In Road Wins

As of the beginning of the week, Loyola’s nine road wins had them tied for second in all of NCAA Division I for victories away from its home court.

Wagner leads the way with 10, while the Greyhounds are tied with Murray State, Harvard, Iona and Cleveland State.

Olson Scores In Bunches

Robert Olson scored seven points in a 23-second stretch versus Fairfield, going on a 7-0 run by himself. Fairfield led 62-55 when Olson pulled up for an 18-foot jumper with 1:42 left in regulation. He then hit a shot with his foot on the 3-point line 15 ticks later to make it a 3-point Stags lead. The junior guard tied the game at 62-62 with 1:19 on the clock with a three from the right side.

Olson finished with 15 points, 13 coming in the second half. Earlier in the stanza, an Olson three at the 14:38 mark cut Fairfield’s largest lead of 15 to 12, and he then knocked one down with 10:04 on the clock.

It was the second game in a row Olson has scored seven-straight points in the second half. He went on a personal 7-0 run against Canisius to move Loyola’s lead back to 11 after the Golden Griffins cut it to four.

The second half has often been a big one for Olson. Last year, he scored nine points in 83 seconds to help defeat Morgan State, and against Iona in Baltimore, Olson made a three pointer with seven ticks of the clock left to tie and send the game to overtime. He then scored the game’s last four points to secure the victory.

Walker Moves Into Second

Shane Walker blocked two Fairfield shots in the first three minutes of the game, and he then swatted a Maurice Barrow layup with 13:58 on the clock, tying him for second all-time at Loyola in blocked shots.

With five blocks against Canisius, Walker now has 124 blocks in his career and is all alone in second place. Brian Carroll (1997-2001) holds the school record with 213.

Everyone On The Offensive Boards

Loyola leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding as a team, averaging 14.1, more than a full rebound more per game that second-place Canisius (13.0).

Despite the team ranking, no Greyhounds player is higher than seventh in the conference in offensive rebounds per game. Erik Etherly is seventh with 2.5, while Justin Drummond is tied for 12th with 2.2, just ahead of teammate Dylon Cormier in 15th.

No other league team has more than two players in the top 15 of the statistical category.

Thievery

Loyola caused 20 Siena turnovers, and the Greyhounds were credited with 19 steals. R.J. Williams led the way with a career-high five, while Erik Etherly, Dylon Cormier and Robert Olson each had three.

The 19 steals are the second-most in school history, one more than the Greyhounds posted in a November 29, 1997, game at Kent State. It is also the most Loyola has recorded against a Division I opponent. The school single-game record of 20 came on February 28, 1996, when the team closed the regular-season against St. Mary’s (Md.).

Running Away

Runs have been a big part of the Greyhounds’ success this year. Here is a look at some runs of note:

Opponent

Run

Start

Finish

Coppin State

10-1, 4:26

31-32, 1:36 (1)

41-33, 17:11 (2)

at UMBC

16-4, 8:08

35-31, 19:16 (2)

51-34, 11:08 (2)

FGCU

22-5, 6:53

15-16, 8:08 (1)

37-21, 1:11 (1)

Marist

9-0, 1:50

47-48, 11:16 (2)

56-48, 9:26 (2)

Marist

15-3, 5:47

61-57, 6:03 (2)

76-60, :16 (2)

at Siena

13-0; 4:27

0-2, 19:28 (1)

13-2; 15:35 (1)

at The Mount

9-0, 1:55

24-26, 1:59 (1)

33-26, :04 (1)

Canisius

18-4, 10:14

57-53, 10:14 (2)

75-57, 2:11 (2)

at Fairfield

36-21, 16:42

30-45, 16:42 (2)

66-63, Final

Siena

22-2, 7:36

40-47, 10:35 (2)

62-49, 2:49 (2)

Saint Peter’s

20-5, 8:13

15-20, 8:55 (1)

35-25, :48 (1)

at Niagara

15-2, 5:42

44-46, 7:48 (2)

59-48, 1:58 (2)

at Canisius

24-2, 12:04

16-22, 8:02 (1)

40-24, 15:58 (2)

Rider

18-0, 8:06

6-5, 16:50 (1)

24-5, 8:55 (2)

Century Mark

Head Coach Jimmy Patsos became the third coach in Loyola history to win 100 games when the Greyhounds defeated UMBC, 73-63, on the road. Patsos, who is in his eighth season, took over a team that finished 1-27 during the 2002-2003 season. He won his 100th game in his 215th career game.

Last season, Patsos moved into third-place all time at Loyola in victories, trailing only Lefty Reitz (349 wins, 1937-44, 1945-61) and Nap Doherty (165, 1961-74).

Loyola All-Time Coaching Wins List

1.

349

Lefty Reitz

1937-1944, 1945-1961

2.

165

Nap Doherty

1961-1974

3.

115

Jimmy Patsos

2004-present

4.

85

Mark Amatucci

1982-1989

5.

72

Gary Dicovitsky

1976-1981

Two Of A Kind

Although unofficial, research shows that Jimmy Patsos is one of only two coaches in the last 20 years to take over a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival.

Brigham Young finished the 1996-1997 season with a 1-25 record. Steve Cleveland took over the following season and tallied 138 wins until his departure for Fresno State after the 2004-2005 season.

Men’s & Women’s Coaches With 100

Loyola University Maryland is one of just 26 mid-major schools that has men’s and women’s basketball coaches with 100 or more victories at their current school after Greyhound women’s coach Joe Logan got his 100th on December 18 in a win at George Washington.

Loyola is the only school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to have accomplished the feat, and it is one of only five institutions at which the coaches have both won 100 or more games in 10 or fewer seasons.

Getting To The Line

As a team, Loyola went to the free-throw line 46 times at UMBC, making 31. The 46 attempts are the sixth-most all-time and most since the 2004-2005 squad attempted 53 on December 5, 2004, against Niagara.

Loyola’s 31 free throws made rank 11th on the school single-game chart and were the most since making 32 on January 14, 2009, versus NJIT.

Although his shot was not falling at UMBC, Dylon Cormier still found ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor. The sophomore guard was just 2-of-9 from the field, but he went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 15, and finished with 20 points.

Cormier’s 15 free throws made are tied for sixth in Loyola single-game history, matching the total made by Mike Powell at Saint Peter’s on December 6, 1997, and Donovan Thomas against Marist on February 23, 2003. The 15 makes were the most by a Loyola player since Jamal Barney set the school record with 18 on January 14, 2009, against NJIT. His 17 attempts rank tied for sixth all-time.

Baltimore Bred And More From Nearby

Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Jimmy Patsos has put an emphasis on recruiting locally, and it has never shown as much as on this year’s roster. Three players – sophomore guard Dylon Cormier (Cardinal Gibbons), sophomore forward Jordan Latham (City) and freshman guard R.J. Williams (St. Frances) are products of schools within the city limits.

The Greyhounds are back home next weekend to host a pair of MAAC games on the ESPN family of networks. Friday’s contest against Iona at 7 o’clock will be televised on ESPNU, and the Sunday 4 o’clock battle versus Fairfield will be aired on ESPN3. Both of those games are also doubleheaders with the Loyola women hosting Iona and Fairfield at 4 p.m. and 12 noon, respectively.

The Greyhounds return to Reitz Arena for a televised game on Friday, February 3, 2012, against Rider University. The contest, which is slated for 7 o’clock, will be Loyola’s first against the Broncs this season, marking the last Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team it will have faced at least once this year.

On The Tube

Loyola and Rider will square off in a nationally televised game on ESPNU College Basketball Built by the Home Depot. Doug Sherman will call the play-by-play, and Tim O’Toole will provide the analysis.

The game is Loyola’s second on ESPNU this season following a 66-63 victory at Fairfield on January 13. This year, Loyola already played seven games on television.

Those with access to Watch ESPN on various smart phones, tablets and game consoles can also watch the video broadcast of the action.

Over The Airwaves

The game’s audio will also be streamed live on LoyolaGreyhounds.com. Gary Lambrecht will handle play-by-play, and Jim Chivers will be on color.

Series History

Loyola and Rider will meet for the 38th time in series history when the teams take the floor on Friday with the Broncs holding a 22-15 lead in the previous 37 games.

The Broncs swept the season series in 2010-2011, winning the first meeting on February 4, 2011, when Danny Stewart made a pair of free throws with 3.5 seconds on the clock to secure a 61-60 win for Rider.

Rider then overcame 21 turnovers when the teams played in Reitz Arena on February 16, 2011, to win 82-70.

Last year’s sweep was Rider’s first over the Greyhounds since the 2006-2007 season.

Loyola has won four of the last seven meetings between the teams and four of the last six in Reitz Arena.

Four Under Sixty

For the first time in its NCAA Division I history (since 1981-1982), Loyola has held four consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points.

Over the last four games, all Loyola victories, the Greyhounds have held Siena, Saint Peter’s, Niagara and Canisius to an average of 54.5 points per game.

The Greyhounds previous had held teams to sub-60 performances just once since joining Division I, and that came during 1981-1982, their first season at this level.

The last time a Loyola team held four-straight teams under 60, regardless of division, came in February 1980 when it kept Philadelphia Textile, Swarthmore, Pitt-Johnstown and St. Mary’s (Md.) to 59 or fewer.

Buffalo Two-Step

The Greyhounds completed a feat they have never accomplished last weekend, sweeping Niagara and Canisius on the road. Since joining the MAAC in 1989-1990, the best Loyola fared on the Western New York roadtrip was a split of the two teams.

January Success

Loyola finished the month of January with a 7-2 record for the second year in a row, duplicating the effort the 2010-2011 squad put together after the calendar flipped.

Including this year, Loyola is 39-19 (.672) during the year’s first month over the last six seasons. The 2006-2007 team set the standard with an 8-2 (.800) record, and the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 sides followed with 7-3 (.700) marks. The 2009-2010 team slid to 3-7 (.300) before last year’s team experienced success again.

During Jimmy Patsos’ eight seasons at Loyola, the Greyhounds are 45-33 (.577) during January.

Fastest To 16

Loyola’s win over Canisius was the Greyhounds’ 16th of the season, marking their fastest path to 16 victories since joining Division I for the 1981-1982 season. The Greyhounds’ arrival at 15 wins came by a wide margin over the previous best.

The 2006-2007 squad, which was Jimmy Patsos’ third at the school, set the previous standard, reaching 16 wins in 27 games, six more than this year’s team.

Through 21

Loyola’s 16-5 start through its first 21 games of the season ranks is tied for the third-best start during that many games in program history. The start is the best since 1949-1950 when “Lefty” Reitz’s team opened its season with the same record through 21.

The best start through 21 games came in 1940-1941 when another Reitz-coached team entered the Mason-Dixon Conference Championship with an 18-3 record. That Loyola team defeated Mount St. Mary’s in the semifinals before losing to Western Maryland (now McDaniel) in the title game.

Good MAAC Start

With wins in nine of its first 11 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games this season, Loyola is off to its best start in league play since joining the league in 1989-1990. The Greyhounds’ previous best MAAC starts were 8-3 in both 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

Success Sans Cormier

Last weekend’s victories at Niagara and Canisius came without the Greyhounds’ top scorer in good health. Dylon Cormier, who entered the weekend averaging 15.3 points per game, was credited with 11 minutes of action (although game tape revealed it was closer to seven) at Niagara after suffering an ankle injury the previous Tuesday in practice. Cormier did not play at all against Canisius.

Double-Double For Walker

Shane Walker led all players with 17 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday’s win at Canisius, his first double-double of the season and seventh of his career.

Walker scored 11 points in the first half and also had six offensive rebounds during the game, the most by any Loyola player this season. He was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, as well.

Defense As Good Or Better

While Walker’s contributions on the boards and offense were solid, Shane Walker’s defense against Canisius was even better.

Walker finished the game with five blocked shots and altered several more with his presence in the post. The five blocks were the most this season by a Loyola player and just one off Walker’s previous career high of six that came on January 15, 2010, at Marist.

Olson’s January

After a stretch of not scoring in double figures for the last three games of December and the first two in January, Robert Olson was the Greyhounds’ leading scorer during the first month of the new calendar year, averaging 13.8.

In Loyola’s last seven games, a stretch in which the Greyhounds are 6-1, Olson has averaged a team-best 15.3 points per game.

During those seven games, his low total is 11, coming last Friday at Niagara. He is shooting .529 from the field (37-of-70) and a more impressive .523 (23-of-44) from 3-point range.

Olson has made at least two 3-pointers in each of the seven games and has three or more in all but one (at Niagara).

Winbush Continues Contributions As Starter

Anthony Winbush got his fifth start of the season Sunday in place of the injured Dylon Cormier, and Winbush made his presence known in several areas.

He finished the game with six rebounds, four offensive, and had a season-high five steals, one off his career high of six which came in a December 2009 victory at Indiana. His defensive versatility was also critical as Canisius started four guards.

During Loyola’s modest four-game winning streak, Winbush has averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He also has averages of 1.8 assists and steals per game.

Assists All-Around

Loyola finished Sunday’s game with 18 assists, tying its season-high set earlier this year against Florida Gulf Coast and when Canisius played in Baltimore. All five starters had two or more assists, and three had four-plus: Erik Etherly (5), Robert Olson and R.J. Williams (4), Shane Walker (3) and Anthony Winbush (2).

Must Be The Lake-Effect Wind

While the Greyhounds spent four nights in Buffalo, sustained winds of 25 miles per hour or more came off Lake Erie for much of the trip.

The breeze must have helped the Greyhounds’ free-throw shooting as they recorded back-to-back season-high performances in free-throw percentage. Loyola made 24-of-30 (.800) at Niagara, and it then checked in with 13-of-16 (.813) against the Golden Griffins. The games are, to date, the only two .800-plus outings of the season.

Slowing A Scorer

A big reason for the Greyhounds’ ability to hold Canisius to just 52 points Sunday was the defensive effort R.J. Williams, Justin Drummond and Anthony Winbush combined to put on Harold Washington, the Golden Griffins’ leading scorer.

Washington entered the game averaging 17.2 points per game, good for fourth in the MAAC, but he finished with just eight points on 2-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-7 from the line. Washington was held under double digits for just the third time this season, and his eight points were his second-lowest total of the year.

Williams’ Solid Weekend

Freshman point guard R.J. Williams put together one of his better weekends of the season, by averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 assists and just 1.5 turnovers in the victories over Niagara and Canisius.

Williams scored eight points and had a career-best seven assists at Niagara, and he followed that by scoring seven and dishing out four helpers against the Golden Griffins.

Last Time Out

Canisius led 22-16 after a David Santiago layup with 8:02 to play in the first half, but those were the last points the Greyhounds would allow before halftime, going on a 12-0 run to close the stanza.

Loyola extended the run to 24-2 in the second half and led 40-24 when Erik Ethelry converted a traditional 3-point play with 15:58 on the clock.

Sunday’s Time Changed

The Greyhounds’ game on Sunday at Saint Peter’s has been changed to a 12 noon tip-off in Jersey City.

Bracketbuster Opponent Named

Loyola learned Monday that it will host Boston University of the America East Conference in its sixth appearance in the Sears’ Bracketbuster Event. The Greyhounds and Terriers will play Sunday, February 19, at 12 noon in Reitz Arena.

Drummond Seeing Purple

Justin Drummond had his third 20-plus point game of the season and second versus Niagara on Friday night when he scored 21, 17 coming in the second half.

Drummond was 5-of-11 from the field and made 11-of-12 at the free-throw line. He also had a career-high four steals.

This season, he is 14-of-27 from the field and has scored 44 points in two games versus the Purple Eagles. He also has averaged six rebounds in the two meetings.

He followed that outing by making 6-of-10 shots and scoring 14 points to go with four rebounds at Canisius. Over the weekend, he averaged 17.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in the wins.

Etherly’s Last Seven

Erik Etherly continued his solid play of late with 18 points in Friday night’s victory at Niagara and 15 in Sunday’s win at Canisius. The game against the Golden Griffins marked the fourth time in the Greyhounds’ last six that he has scored 15 or more points, and it raised his seven-game scoring average to 14.7 points.

Etherly also has averaged 7.6 rebounds, as well, during the stretch that dates back to the Greyhounds’ first meeting with Canisius on January 7.

The junior forward finished last Sunday’s game against Saint Peter’s with 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, all game highs. He also was 9-of-12 from the free-throw line, matching his season-best for free throws made.

Last week, in a pair of Loyola wins, Etherly averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds after scoring 12 and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds against Siena.

In And Out Of The Lineup

Jordan Latham returned to the Loyola rotation for the first time since December 28 at Bucknell after missing seven games following a foot injury prior to the January 2 game. Latham entered the game with 13:05 to go in the first half and 16 seconds later blocked a shot. He played 15 minutes and finished with two blocks.

On the other hand, Dylon Cormier did not start for the first time in his college career and was also held scoreless for the first time. Cormier was injured in practice earlier this week and did not play in the first half against Niagara.

Sharper Shooting

Loyola recorded its second-best shooting performance of the season Friday night at Niagara, finishing the game 21-of-40, a 52.5-percent clip. The number was buoyed significantly by an 11-of-16, 68.8-percent, mark in the second half.

The Greyhounds’ second-half numbers represented their best 20 minutes of the season. Meanwhile, Loyola made 80-percent (24-of-30) of its free throws, as well, on Friday night, their best free-throw shooting performance of the season.

FG Percentage Getting It Done

While not the most glamorous mark in the box score, Loyola is 13-0 this season when it shoots 41.3-percent or better from the field. The Greyhounds have made less than 44-percent of their shots and won seven times this season.

As of Monday, the Greyhounds ranked 234th out of 338 teams in NCAA Division I with a .420 field goal percentage, and they are one of just two teams (joining Robert Morris) to have 16 or more wins and rank 225 or higher in the category.

Tied For Second In Road Wins

As of the beginning of the week, Loyola’s nine road wins had them tied for second in all of NCAA Division I for victories away from its home court.

Wagner leads the way with 10, while the Greyhounds are tied with Murray State, Harvard, Iona and Cleveland State.

Olson Scores In Bunches

Robert Olson scored seven points in a 23-second stretch versus Fairfield, going on a 7-0 run by himself. Fairfield led 62-55 when Olson pulled up for an 18-foot jumper with 1:42 left in regulation. He then hit a shot with his foot on the 3-point line 15 ticks later to make it a 3-point Stags lead. The junior guard tied the game at 62-62 with 1:19 on the clock with a three from the right side.

Olson finished with 15 points, 13 coming in the second half. Earlier in the stanza, an Olson three at the 14:38 mark cut Fairfield’s largest lead of 15 to 12, and he then knocked one down with 10:04 on the clock.

It was the second game in a row Olson has scored seven-straight points in the second half. He went on a personal 7-0 run against Canisius to move Loyola’s lead back to 11 after the Golden Griffins cut it to four.

The second half has often been a big one for Olson. Last year, he scored nine points in 83 seconds to help defeat Morgan State, and against Iona in Baltimore, Olson made a three pointer with seven ticks of the clock left to tie and send the game to overtime. He then scored the game’s last four points to secure the victory.

Walker Moves Into Second

Shane Walker blocked two Fairfield shots in the first three minutes of the game, and he then swatted a Maurice Barrow layup with 13:58 on the clock, tying him for second all-time at Loyola in blocked shots.

With five blocks against Canisius, Walker now has 124 blocks in his career and is all alone in second place. Brian Carroll (1997-2001) holds the school record with 213.

Everyone On The Offensive Boards

Loyola leads the MAAC in offensive rebounding as a team, averaging 14.3, nearly a full rebound more per game that second-place Canisius (13.2).

Despite the team ranking, no Greyhounds player is higher than seventh in the conference in offensive rebounds per game. Erik Etherly is seventh with 2.5, while Justin Drummond is 13th with 2.2, just ahead of teammate Dylon Cormier in 14th.

No other league team has more than two players in the top 15 of the statistical category.

Thievery

Loyola caused 20 Siena turnovers, and the Greyhounds were credited with 19 steals. R.J. Williams led the way with a career-high five, while Erik Etherly, Dylon Cormier and Robert Olson each had three.

The 19 steals are the second-most in school history, one more than the Greyhounds posted in a November 29, 1997, game at Kent State. It is also the most Loyola has recorded against a Division I opponent. The school single-game record of 20 came on February 28, 1996, when the team closed the regular-season against St. Mary’s (Md.).

Running Away

Runs have been a big part of the Greyhounds’ success this year. Here is a look at some runs of note:

Opponent

Run

Start

Finish

Coppin State

10-1, 4:26

31-32, 1:36 (1)

41-33, 17:11 (2)

at UMBC

16-4, 8:08

35-31, 19:16 (2)

51-34, 11:08 (2)

FGCU

22-5, 6:53

15-16, 8:08 (1)

37-21, 1:11 (1)

Marist

9-0, 1:50

47-48, 11:16 (2)

56-48, 9:26 (2)

Marist

15-3, 5:47

61-57, 6:03 (2)

76-60, :16 (2)

at Siena

13-0; 4:27

0-2, 19:28 (1)

13-2; 15:35 (1)

at The Mount

9-0, 1:55

24-26, 1:59 (1)

33-26, :04 (1)

Canisius

18-4, 10:14

57-53, 10:14 (2)

75-57, 2:11 (2)

at Fairfield

36-21, 16:42

30-45, 16:42 (2)

66-63, Final

Siena

22-2, 7:36

40-47, 10:35 (2)

62-49, 2:49 (2)

Saint Peter’s

20-5, 8:13

15-20, 8:55 (1)

35-25, :48 (1)

at Niagara

15-2, 5:42

44-46, 7:48 (2)

59-48, 1:58 (2)

at Canisius

24-2, 12:04

16-22, 8:02 (1)

40-24, 15:58 (2)

Century Mark

Head Coach Jimmy Patsos became the third coach in Loyola history to win 100 games when the Greyhounds defeated UMBC, 73-63, on the road. Patsos, who is in his eighth season, took over a team that finished 1-27 during the 2002-2003 season. He won his 100th game in his 215th career game.

Last season, Patsos moved into third-place all time at Loyola in victories, trailing only Lefty Reitz (349 wins, 1937-44, 1945-61) and Nap Doherty (165, 1961-74).

Loyola All-Time Coaching Wins List

1.

349

Lefty Reitz

1937-1944, 1945-1961

2.

165

Nap Doherty

1961-1974

3.

114

Jimmy Patsos

2004-present

4.

85

Mark Amatucci

1982-1989

5.

72

Gary Dicovitsky

1976-1981

Two Of A Kind

Although unofficial, research shows that Jimmy Patsos is one of only two coaches in the last 20 years to take over a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival.

Brigham Young finished the 1996-1997 season with a 1-25 record. Steve Cleveland took over the following season and tallied 138 wins until his departure for Fresno State after the 2004-2005 season.

Men’s & Women’s Coaches With 100

Loyola University Maryland is one of just 26 mid-major schools that has men’s and women’s basketball coaches with 100 or more victories at their current school after Greyhound women’s coach Joe Logan got his 100th on December 18 in a win at George Washington.

Loyola is the only school in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to have accomplished the feat, and it is one of only five institutions at which the coaches have both won 100 or more games in 10 or fewer seasons.

Getting To The Line

As a team, Loyola went to the free-throw line 46 times at UMBC, making 31. The 46 attempts are the sixth-most all-time and most since the 2004-2005 squad attempted 53 on December 5, 2004, against Niagara.

Loyola’s 31 free throws made rank 11th on the school single-game chart and were the most since making 32 on January 14, 2009, versus NJIT.

Although his shot was not falling at UMBC, Dylon Cormier still found ways to be productive on the offensive end of the floor. The sophomore guard was just 2-of-9 from the field, but he went to the free-throw line 17 times, making 15, and finished with 20 points.

Cormier’s 15 free throws made are tied for sixth in Loyola single-game history, matching the total made by Mike Powell at Saint Peter’s on December 6, 1997, and Donovan Thomas against Marist on February 23, 2003. The 15 makes were the most by a Loyola player since Jamal Barney set the school record with 18 on January 14, 2009, against NJIT. His 17 attempts rank tied for sixth all-time.

Baltimore Bred And More From Nearby

Since taking over as head coach in 2004, Jimmy Patsos has put an emphasis on recruiting locally, and it has never shown as much as on this year’s roster. Three players – sophomore guard Dylon Cormier (Cardinal Gibbons), sophomore forward Jordan Latham (City) and freshman guard R.J. Williams (St. Frances) are products of schools within the city limits.

Loyola hits the road for a Super Bowl Sunday contest on February 5 at Saint Peter’s College. Tip-off has been moved to 12 noon in Jersey City, N.J.

The Greyhounds are back home next weekend to host a pair of MAAC games on the ESPN family of networks. Friday’s contest against Iona at 7 o’clock will be televised on ESPNU, and the Sunday 4 o’clock battle versus Fairfield will be aired on ESPN3. Both of those games are also doubleheaders with the Loyola women hosting Iona and Fairfield at 4 p.m. and 12 noon, respectively.